Your Purpose Is Not in Your PerfectionSample

Day 3: You Are Who HE Says You Are

Dear Mama, what are your go-to “I am” statements lately? Recently, I found myself thinking, “I am a terrible mom!” “I am not capable of taking care of everybody.” “I am tired.”

It’s easy to focus on what I am not good at: gardening, helping my teenager with homework, finding the food my toddler has thrown across the kitchen, making sure the house is in good shape when my husband comes home… (Why do my kids turn into tornadoes at 5 pm every day?!?!)

Jesus and Peter had a conversation at the Passover table that changed my perspective. It was a game-changer in my life when Scripture showed me that, when Jesus looks at me, He doesn’t see the scrambled eggs in my hair or wish I were a little better at this mom thing. He sees a dearly loved daughter, created for a great purpose.

Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times. Peter loved Jesus deeply and promised he never would, but we will read tomorrow that Peter did deny Jesus that night.

Today, I want us to focus on what Jesus said to Peter in the same moment He announced his denial. As The Passion Translation puts it, Jesus said, “Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers”. (Luke 22:32b TPT)

Did you hear that, Mama!?! Jesus didn’t tell Peter to get his act together and not deny him. Jesus knew Peter’s mind and flesh would fail him even though he so badly wanted to stay faithful. The conversation went straight into hope for the future. Peter’s purpose was not dependent on his perfection.

Jesus didn’t look at Peter and say, “You are the denier.” He said, “You are the rock on which I will build my church.” Jesus left no room at that table for Peter to look back on his life and say, “I am a failure.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” All Peter had to do was come back to Jesus. Every “I am” statement he might have thought about himself was crucified with Jesus.

Sweet daughter of the King, when Jesus looks at you, He does not see your shortcomings. He sees a woman worth dying for. Your transgressions have been wiped away. Replace the negative “I am” statements about yourself with the truth about who Jesus is and what He thinks of you. Let Jesus speak the same love into your life that He spoke into Peter’s.

Let’s pray: Jesus, You are the way, the truth, and the life. Help me take back ground on my identity that I’ve given over to the enemy and reclaim it with truth about who You are and what You say about me. Show me what you say about me today, Jesus. Amen.