Welcome back friends! I (Megan) am glad you are here!  We are wrapping up our adventures in the “Do You Know You Are…?” series with a dear friend of mine, Nikki! If you want to check out the rest of the series, we have touched on being “cherished“, “honored“, and “beloved” in the past weeks.  This week, Nikki has graciously shared some of her story, and how God has affirmed that He celebrates her!  I pray that you find encouragement through her words.

I am probably one of the most nostalgic people you’ll ever meet. I can romanticize the past like it’s nobody’s business. The ‘90s era is one of my favorites, especially when it comes to movies. Because of that, I am a huge fan of all things Disney from that decade.  One of my favorites is Aladdin. The danger, the treasure and adventure, the betrayal, the tales of friendships, and the love story… I just love everything about it. 

Reality or Perception?

One of my favorite scenes is when Prince Ali comes busting through the gates of Agrabah. His grand entrance certainly doesn’t disappoint.  He is preceded by his giant caravan, marching along and singing his praises. Bells are ringing. Drums are banging. People are cheering. The entire bazaar lines up to greet him, and grovel at his feet, looking up to him on his giant elephant with respect and reverence. 

From the local “street rat”, to a celebrated prince. It almost leaves you with a feeling of magic and wonderment, until you realize Aladdin is only getting his chance to shine  as the impostor Prince Ali Ababwa. Aladdin’s perception was that he needed to come before the town’s sovereignty as a cleaned-up prince before he could receive any accolades, acknowledgement, or praise.

If you’re anything like me, maybe you can relate. 

I grew up in church, but I had no idea that the enemy had a voice. When certain thoughts came to mind, I processed them as if they were my own. I can look back and hear myself saying things like “you aren’t good enough; you aren’t worthy enough”, followed by a big “BUT IF….”

If I cut my hair…
If I wear this…
If I stop doing that…
…. then I will be celebrated. 

For years I lived with this perception. There were times when I questioned my own life because I had lost myself inside so many masks trying to please the world. I felt pinned to the bottom of a hole and I couldn’t stop digging.  Isn’t that exactly where the enemy wants us? Striving to feel celebrated by people rather than deeply knowing our God has been celebrating who we are from the very start?  

Identifying Reality

It reminds me of the woman with the issue of blood. For 12 years, she bled. For 12 years, she was deemed legally unclean. But where the world failed her, God prevailed. He saw and celebrated His daughter. 

Then a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the [tassel] fringe of His outer robe; for she had been saying to herself, ‘If I only touch His outer robe, I will be healed.’ But Jesus turning and seeing her said, ‘Take courage, daughter; your [personal trust and confident] faith [in Me] has made you well.’ And at once the woman was [completely] healed.” Matthew 9:20-22 (emphasis added)

With one touch of Jesus’ hem, she was healed immediately. And not only was she healed, but Jesus looked right at her, acknowledged her, and celebrated her. She didn’t have to show up clean or perfect. She didn’t have to change anything about herself. She needed not do anything more than to trust. 

I found myself in a similar situation in 2016. Tormented by crippling anxiety for years prior because of shame and guilt over my past, I felt too dirty to be celebrated. I am so grateful that we have a God who doesn’t let us stay in that space. He makes a way, and He did for me. 

Freedom in Truth

One weekend, I found myself in a small group of strangers confessing all the reasons why God couldn’t celebrate someone like me. Immediately following that confession, I felt the heartbeat of Heaven fall upon me in a way I can still feel to this day. I felt deeply seen and acknowledged. Although there were trembling lips and tears, there was much celebration from my Father. The Lord looked at me through the eyes of His children and said “I am so proud of you. I rejoice and dance over you, and I have been this whole time.” I knew how celebrated I was, am, and always will be. 

Aren’t you glad we serve a God that doesn’t make us rub any sort of magic lamp or perform a dance routine perfectly in order to experience His sovereign celebration? With God, you don’t have to earn belonging, significance, or His celebration. You already have it. You won His heart before you were born! He has delighted in you, and celebrated you from the very beginning. 

The Lord your God is in your midst, a Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17 AMP 

The eyes of the Father are looking right at you with total delight all the time! My prayer is for you to feel celebrated today and everyday going forward. Wrap your arms around yourself, and become insanely aware of his presence all around you right now singing “you are my CELEBRATED child!”

Take a minute to leave Nikki a comment below, or continue the conversation on the FACETS Facebook page.