Tracy and I love adventure. We love to experience new things and new places. We have many memories to share and enjoy reminiscing of our life experiences. It’s our story, it belongs to us. It tells of where we have been in life; not only geographically—but spiritually and emotionally as well.
In the digital age in which we live, it’s easy to capture a memory simply by snapping some pictures with your phone. Think about that statement for a minute, “snapping pictures with your phone.” Do you realize that not too long ago, we didn’t even have cell phones, let alone the ability to take pictures and videos with them and instantly send them across the world? I love technology! Anyway, these days it seems that wherever we go, there is someone taking a selfie. The selfie often speaks for itself saying, “look at me, and what I am doing.”
We all have our life stories, right? Truth be told, the selfies don’t always tell the whole story. There are good and bad experiences in life, and we don’t often ear-mark our bad experiences with a selfie. We all have some peaks and valleys. And while the times we spend in the valley aren’t often captured or disseminated by digital media, these times can still be lodged into our memory. Consequently, we can have self-images of ourselves that we really don’t want anyone else to see. Soon, if we are not careful, these images start to create a full photo album of our lives. Before you know it, depression and hopelessness start to set-in. It’s somewhat of a paradox since we are living in a time when we literally have much of the knowledge of the world right at our fingertips. If you don’t know something, just google it. Yet, at the same time, personal depression in our world has never been higher. So, what gives?
The Bible has a very simple, yet profound statement found in Proverbs 23:7 which says, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” We can have a fuller understand of that statement when we read the statement in the context. The whole of Proverbs 23 gives advice on how to react in certain situations. Here we find all sorts of real-life situations, and the key to gleaning positive and affirming self-images of ourselves, is learning how to react while we are in these situations. Essentially, outward actions and outward images can be very deceiving, but a persons heart determines what a person is really like. Truly, our current culture needs to recognize this. Agreed?
Researchers have investigated the phenomena of how encouragement affects the development of the brain. Their findings show that encouragement, in spoken word and even facial expression, has a significant effect on the development of the brain. Children who are supported, praised and encouraged by their parents have brains that are better structured for learning and handling the stressful situations which they will encounter later-on in life. As is usually the case, science confirms what the Lord already knew—that humans need encouragement in order to fully develop.
People may forget the words you said, people may forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. (Author unknown)
While growing up My dad had some clouded times of depression in his life. He was never diagnosed, and never sought professional help, he only suppressed his thoughts and tried to self-medicate with alcohol. As a child, I didn’t understand that he had frustrations in life. I didn’t discern that he grew-up fatherless and was struggling to find true purpose in life. In my teenage years and being the youngest of four, my siblings were either already married or in college. My last years at home left me bitter and very cynical, particularly towards my dad. We had some issues, mostly unspoken. During my last years in high school it seemed as though his second home was a local bar. In a small town everyone knew who rolled out of the bars late at night. My own friends knew that my dad was one of them. Sadly, I saw my own dad as a selfish hypocrite, and I had very little empathy towards him.
Then one day, everything started to change! On a cold wintery night, at a woman’s prayer meeting, both Tracy and I turned our lives over to Jesus Christ. Instantly, my heart started to change. I absolutely was not the same person. It is by far the best decision I have ever made. As I grew in my relationship with the Lord, I was able to see my dad in a totally different light. What’s more, shortly after I had accepted Christ, my dad as-well made an all-out commitment to Lord. Consequently, he quit drinking “cold-turkey.” Our relationship soon started to mend. He apologized many times for issues that were directly related to his drinking, and I too confessed my selfishness and insensitivity toward him. Going forward, we had years of wonderful memories, and meaningful conversations. My dad passed from this life into eternity just two years ago. In fact, he and my mom graduated to heaven just 5 days apart.
What’s my point? Well, for one, I miss my mom and dad. But my main point is that every single person in this world is loved by God and filled with incredible purpose in life. Even when we do not see or acknowledge it, God says that every person is uniquely and wonderfully created (see Psalm 139:9). In fact, it says that you were knit together by God when you were in your mother’s womb (see Psalm 139:13). God has created you with special gifts, talents, feelings, and emotions that are unique to only you. He, the God of the Universe, has purpose for your life.
We are all born in God’s image, and that also means that you reflect a part of the unique image of God. Listen, if you are not you the world does not get to experience a special unique part of who God is. In other words, when you are not you, the world suffers.
But how can you know you are doing and being the person God created you to be? Ah, the million-dollar question. Here is the million-dollar answer: Simply by getting to know the God who created you. But really, did I say getting to know someone else (God) will allow you to see your own identity? Yes, that’s exactly right. Getting to know God in a relationship; not as a mere belief or religion, will reveal your identity. I believe this was the case with my dad. He found true purpose in life and found his true identity when he turned everything over to the Lord. God’s Word says:
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 2:17-19
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
Your identity can’t be found by being or acting like anybody else. Don’t sell yourself short. You make a wonderful you, but a lousy somebody else. In fact, I recently read that envy and imitating others will actually cause brain damage and negatively impact your health. God is the one who designed you. Get to know the designer and be the you that you were created to be.
I saw such an amazing transformation in my dad’s life. In my mother as well. No longer was she having to worry about her husband. No longer was she having to call around seeing which bar stool he was sitting on. No more unexplained canceled plans, because of her husbands drinking problem. She would no longer be waiting-up, with his supper still warming in the oven for hours, not knowing whether he would make it home safely or not. No, my parents, Ken and Dorothy Stuberg, became a team. They in fact, became full-time traveling gospel music ministers. They ministered for many years, sharing the love of Christ. God is so good!
Friends, God sees your selfies—every single one of them—and no camera or digital media is even involved. You are uniquely special and loved by God. He has incredibly wonderful plans for your life. It is His ultimate desire for you to know Him. He loves you and has incredible plans and purposes for your life. May all your selfies in life be a reflection of Him.
Happy Father’s Day Dad!
Blessed by the Best,
Mark
See You in the River 