What a beautiful picture it is to know that you belong. Unconditionally, blamelessly, endlessly, joyously. Despite your faults and failures. Despite the lies of the world and the clamor of your surroundings. To know that no matter how far you run. No matter how much you wander. You will always unconditionally belong.

I think sometimes we need a little reminder of that. In this world full of striving it is so easily lost. It's so easy to forget that constant love, but just as easy to remember the feeling of rejection. The feeling that no matter what, you just aren't good enough. Be it your weight, your flaws, your skin color, your hair, your reputation, your accomplishments, your body. That crush, or that position, or that friend, or that group that has a way of making you feel like you don't measure up. The constant tearing down of our fellow man so prevalent in today's society. The way we claim it's cool to be unique yet reject what is different. Sometimes in this life, it's hard to believe that you're good enough. It's hard to give that reflection in the mirror a break. It's hard to figure out who you are and who you are not. What you stand for and what you stand against. More importantly how far you're willing to go to prove that. If we're being honest it's hard to walk in a plan when we can't see the final product. It's hard to have faith that defies the odds... if it were easy everyone would do it. It's hard to choose a different path. It's hard to get told no. It's hard to be built up and to get knocked down. It's hard to battle the insults and regrets. It's hard when you can't get others to see your worth. It's even harder when others are pleading with you just to see it yourself. Most days, it's hard to see your wins for your losses. Truthfully, It's hard to get up every day with a determination that you are called, chosen, and set apart.

So how do we do it? How do we press on in spite of the voice telling us to throw in the towel? How do we fight with all we have to hold on to faith? How do we silence anything that would separate us from our true and best selves? How do you rise above the foolery with your head held high and dignity intact? These are questions we have all asked ourselves and dreamt of having the perfect answer to. I've found myself asking these a lot lately. As we go through this life they become more and more prevalent. But if I have learned one thing it's that if you don't know who you are the world will try and tell you. PAUSE and please hear this. No matter what, never under any circumstance, let it.

See, I think the answer to the above questions is remembering the One to whom we belong. Remembering the One who has perfected us in His own image. The One who looks down in every moment, every season, every storm and every triumph and chooses us. No matter what we may do or feel He chooses us. Every day unconditionally. And even better news He has been doing so since before we ever chose Him. You see our God took the time to write out each of our days before we even set foot on the Earth. He knows every flaw, every doubt, every lie the enemy has ever told us and each time we've chosen to believe it. But guess what? He loves us anyway. His word tells us that we are a chosen people, His prized possession. That we are altogether beautiful and flawless — like beyond Beyoncé flawless! So we can have hope when the doubts sneak in. We can have faith beyond the setbacks and disappointments. We can have freedom beyond our mistakes. We can give the person in the mirror a chance!

So, the next time you feel like quitting remember that through Christ you are more than a conqueror. The next rejection remembers that all things work together for your good. The next trial, remember that you can do all things through Him. The next time the enemy tells you that you are less than remember that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Rest in knowing that you are worth more than diamonds and rubies. Know that He knows the number of hairs on your head. Trust that His thoughts of you outmeasure all the grains of sand in the world (like what). Realize who you are and what you are worth. Choose to walk in it every day. Remember to whom you belong, your masterpiece, you.

Ephesians 2:19-22