Who are you?

I am...

holy and blameless in his sight,

adopted,

redeemed through his blood,

forgiven,

chosen,

predestined according to the plan of him,

marked in him with a seal

according to Ephesians 1 this is God's view.  Not the world's view and I admit often not how I view myself. 
Holy and Blameless: to me means perfect, without flaws, nothing to be blamed for. 

Adopted: this one hits home...literally.  I have an adopted daughter.  This relationship is unique.  I've described her for years as being my heart baby and not my belly baby. You see she was born in my heart.  She was truly given to me for me to raise as my own.  I "fell in love" with her, honestly it wasn't hard to do, big brown eyes, full of life and zest, an extrovert with a story to tell, a talent for singing and drama (and this was obvious to anyone she spent any amount of time with).   I have a love for her that is different, not less than and not more, than my biological children.  God has a sense of humor as well, many people have no idea that she's not my belly baby due to the physical features we share.  I believe that was of God's handiwork.  She is beautiful!  It has always been very important for me to care for, treat, and love my daughter as if she was my very own belly baby.  I have seen families where children are placed on totem poles, meaning favorites are easy to distinguish in homes.  I vowed long ago that I would allow God to take that tendency from me so that each of my children would grow to know that they are loved equally and unconditionally.   

Redeemed Through His Blood: We must accept that Christ died for each of us, shed His blood so that God can look upon us and have a relationship with Him.  Since the beginning of time blood sacrifice has been made in order to atone for our sin.  In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve sinned against God and God sacrificed animals so that they would be clothed with the skins.  The picture story continues throughout the ages of animals being sacrificed and blood being shed so that God would not destroy the hard hearted, sinful people.  THEN, Christ came to earth so that no other blood sacrifice would need to be placed on the altar.  Christ, God's Son was crucified, bled and died for me and for you.  No other blood needs to be shed!  If we accept that Christ was sent for us, God looks down and sees Christ's blood covering our sin.

Forgiven: Have you carried something around that felt heavy?  The longer you carry it, the heavier it gets.  It feels great when you are able to set it down.  For me that's how I picture forgiven.  I don't have to carry anything, I can lay it (my mistakes, my sin) down.  Christ has taken it and carrys it for me.  When forgiven it's better than an apology acceptance, something we are all capable of.  Forgiveness is deeper.  An area I am struggling with as I type.  

Chosen: Travel back in time a few years or more to the days of kickball in P.E.  Remember how good it felt to picked by the team captains.  Maybe you were first, maybe you were last, or maybe just in between.  As young girls, more went into the choosing than atlethic ability.  I'm so thankful that God didn't choose me on my atlethic ability or any other ability.  He chose me.  Let that sink in.  He chose you!

Predestined According To The Plan Of Him: I'm not a Biblical scholar, teacher or expert so this phrase- predestined- is something I'm not going to pretend I "get".  I will say one of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  God has a plan for each of us, I believe He desires to know each of us intimately.  I think He has a purpose for each of us, and He wants us to love Him and worship Him, that is our destiny.  He has predetermined that He wants each of us in His loving arms. 

Marked In Him With A Seal: A distinctive symbol that signifies I AM HIS. Today we are given the Holy Spirit to dwell within us to show who owns us.  Do you have an owner?  Does your expression glow with His presence? 

Reading Ephesians 1 helps me sit a little taller, smile broader, and remember who I am.  For more encouragement listen to Darrell Evans song "Trading My Sorrows"

I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength