Striving to be someone or something that we are not. If we’re not careful, possibly this is the road our pondering takes us as we evaluate where we are and where we want to be in our new year. Maybe some of us are still doing this. Or maybe we’re already frustrated that we haven’t made the mark, or that the mark seems impossible. In our evaluation of where we are and where we want to be, I hope we find acceptance. For that is the best place to begin. Thank you for this still New Year reflection time. I am honored to be with you and to share this timeless message as it was shared originally a few years ago, actually! A few decades ago! In great humor and humility. A starkly genuine portrayal of the question we ask ourselves at important moments of our lives. Who am I!? Insecurity might cause us to try to become someone or something we are not. I feel like this has become a debilitating drama and trauma in the lives of many, this message being directed to young people but resonating, I believe, with many of us at various stages of life. We don’t like who we are. The difficult part of this equation is that we don’t understand who God made us to be and that He created us for a purpose. Our joy is realized in following His heart and His voice and accepting who He made us to be. I’m grieved by those who feel that isn’t enough. More appropriately stated, I feel it’s that God is grieved by those who feel that who God made them to be isn’t enough. Possibly we are doing disservice to others who we allow to deny themselves because acceptance is powerful. I believe what we might be saying is we don’t want to engage in the hard work of friendship with someone who hasn’t yet seen the miracle of who they are and who God created them to be. This is friendship in basic terms, encouragement, saying you’re ok and we can get through this, acceptance. I’m concerned about enemy voices causing people to feel insecure about who they are. This creates deception interpersonally and a lack of discernment, which is a tool for fighting the lies of the enemy. Our minds are a treasure to be protected. The enemy, basically hell, has gained too much victory in lying to us about darkness and light. Let’s take that back. This is our call in this year ahead and beyond. Please know I’m praying for you because I love you.