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Dear One,
He turned the tire
swing around and around with his feet. He liked the feeling he got in
the pit of his stomach when he twirled around so fast. And it made a
breeze against his skin for a moment or two. There just wasn’t much
for a twelve-year-old boy to do in Mississippi when it was this hot.
Beads of sweat ran down his back and strands of his
chestnut-colored hair clung to his forehead.
He needed some real
relief from the scorching heat. And
then he remembered - the creek! As
he walked down the dirt road towards the creek, his dark brown eyes
darted back and forth. He was looking for the big rock that marked the highest point
of the creek bank. When he spied the rock, a dimpled smile grew across
his lips.
He began to run.
He knew exactly where the rope swing hung and made a mad dash for
it. He grabbed the rope and
began to fly through the air. What
joy to sail through the air and then sink into the cold, clear water of
the creek! As he came up
for air, he gave out a shout. He
paddled through the water for a bit and then turned onto his back and
began to float. “Boy, this is the life”, he thought to himself. He
watched the clouds pass overhead as he hummed a tune.
“Hmmm, da, da, dum, temperature rising…”
Years later on a
stage in Memphis, that same young boy stood before thousands of
screaming fans singing a song with those familiar words.
At the time, it didn’t have as much to do with a hot summer day
in Mississippi as it did with girls, love and burning emotions.
Yes indeed, that young boy had grown into a man.
And not just any man - he was becoming an international
sensation. His talent, good looks, and charisma would endear him to
millions. That’s right. He would be known all over the world by just his first name -
Elvis.
Pretty amazing,
isn’t it? At one moment
in time he’s a young boy floating in a creek and in another he’s
singing before millions of people on the Ed Sullivan show.
Hard to imagine but either way, he was still Elvis Presley.
Right? Well,
that’s a good question. Some
would say that it was the world’s acknowledgement of him and his
talent that made Elvis who he was.
Yep - it was the fans. Others
would say that he was just a kid from Tupelo, Mississippi would got a
lucky break. What do you
think? When would you say
that Elvis became Elvis?
Surely Elvis was
Elvis because he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and because millions
of people adored him. Nope.
Elvis was Elvis because he was born Elvis Aaron Presley.
Of course his talent and charming good looks probably made it
easier for him to get noticed. But whether he was embraced by this world or not, Elvis was
Elvis from the moment he was born.
That’s right. He
was just as much Elvis as he floated on his back in that creek, as he
was when he stood in front of a microphone signing “Love Me Tender.”
Sure, there were things Elvis did that were more exciting,
profitable and note-worthy than others but let’s face it - no one did
Elvis better than Elvis.
So, where do we fit
into this discussion about Elvis? Well,
the same applies to you and me in the physical sense – just like
Elvis; we are the same people today as we were the day we were born.
Perhaps more wear and tear on the old body and hopefully a
smidgen smarter but the same people nevertheless.
And it gets better. Believe
it or not, we are also the same people today spiritually as we were the
day we were born “anew”. We
are new creations, saints and members of the body of Christ….no matter
what.
As the weeks, months
and years pass by, we hopefully become more familiar with who we are in
Christ. The Holy Spirit
reveals more and more of the fullness of our true identity to us. But we
haven’t become “improved” new creations; we’ve simply become
better acquainted with who we already are in Christ - holy, righteous,
accepted, forgiven, loved saints*. And just like Elvis, we may do some
things that are exciting, profitable and note-worthy but then we may
also do some stupid, regretful and distasteful things.
But again, just like Elvis, they won’t change who we are
because our identity is determined by birth, not by behavior.
Do you remember the
newspaper articles that were circulating during Elvis Presley’s
declining years? He went
from once being touted as “The Biggest Sensation Since Sliced Bread”
to “Aged King Throws Tantrums Onstage.”
As with anyone, his behavior changed – but he was still Elvis.
And so it is with you and me.
Our behavior may change from moment to moment or it may remain
relatively consistent. But
either way, we are children of God, saints, and a new creation.
Remember this dear
friend, an identity that can be altered or changed by behavior of any
kind [good or not so good] is as fleeting, temporary and unreliable as
the behavior that maintains it. That
is not freedom*. That is
bondage*. What God has done on our behalf in Christ is not fleeting,
temporary or unreliable. He
is eternal, trustworthy and forever perfect…and so are the things of
Him. You cannot separate
who He is from what He does. They
are one in the same. The
One True God is the only One whose behavior perfectly matches His
identity. [Did I hear a
sigh of relief?]
That’s right.
Only God. But
doesn’t that draw you closer to Him rather than send you running for
the hills? Don’t you want to know more about the God of this universe
would makes these kind of truths known about Himself and doesn’t seem
to be threatened? Do you
think He’s worried about what we’ll do?
Can you imagine God pacing back and forth saying, “Oh my gosh,
will they run wild? Have I
lost control? What was I
thinking…I need to keep them in the dark!”
That’s not the God of love that I know.
There’s no love in
fear or control*. There’s
no love in doubt and darkness*. But
His love is “patient, kind, never fails, bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things, endures all things*.”
He is the one true King and He has made you His own.
You are a new creation by His doing…not your own.
So, take a deep breath and relax.
You are secure. He
is committed to willing and working in you so that you become better
acquainted with the new identity that you have in Christ…for His good
pleasure*. Remember, He is patient
and loving and tender.
Good gosh, speaking
of loving and tender - that reminds me of an old Elvis Presley movie,
Love Me Tender. About a
month ago I was flipping through the channels and found it on cable. As
I watched the movie, I remember thinking that his acting
wasn’t very convincing and his impromptu singing couldn't have
surprised anyone, but I had to give him one thing.
Elvis was charming. He’d
smile that dimpled smile and flash those pearly whites and the
ladies swooned...including yours truly.
That's right. I even
found myself returning his smile. Hey, what more can I say?
He still had it. He was Elvis.
“Therefore if any
man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come.” 2
Corinthians 5:17
I love you,
Marcy
*Identity - Rom.
8:16, 15:7; 1 John 4:9; Col. 1:22, 2:13; 1 Cor. 15:22
*Freedom/Bondage - Rom.
8:15; Gal 5:1
*Fear/Control/Doubt/Darkness – 1 John 4:18; Eph. 5:8; Col. 1:13
*Love – 1 Cor. 13
*Willing
and working – Phil. 2:13
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