Third Time's a Charm

Completeness (New Life)

If you have had the pleasure of going to the DMV for any reason, you would understand when I say that it can be quite a pain to handle any sort of business there. From the time I found out I needed to upgrade my license, I have been dreading the moment I had to go to the DMV, because you just know beforehand how long the wait can be. Although, I was successful after my third attempt in getting my license upgraded, I initially did not find the process pleasant. During my first trip to the DMV, I was advised that I was missing a document because my name had changed when I got married. Although I had my driver's license (with my current name) and social security card as proof, I needed my marriage license, which I had completely forgotten to bring at the time of my appointment. After receiving that information, I made sure that I had my marriage license to prove I was who I said I was. I was all set for my second visit, I thought. But lo and behold, during my second trip to the DMV, I was then asked for additional documents, which were not shared with me during my first visit and which I did not have on me this time. The poor communication about which documents are needed and acceptable to use for the upgrade's processing left me very frustrated. After this go-around, I was practically in tears. Yes, this time, I walked out with tears of frustration, nodding because of the poor communication. After all, I had to leave work early, hoping to finally have this taken care of. The inconvenience of it all! With all that I provided that day, I was still told that I needed to provide additional documents to prove my identity. My thought was that nothing I bring is ever good enough for them, and I questioned in my mind: How is that not enough proof of my identity with all that I had brought to my appointment (Social Security Cards with previous last names, birth certificate, marriage license, etc.)? As I sat there in my frustration, I realized I needed to take a step back and just breathe. I took this as an opportunity to look beyond my problem to find something useful to apply to my walk with the Lord. With that said, my outlook and perspective changed. Once I let go, I realized that the glimpse back into my past contributed to some of the frustration I was experiencing. At this point, the Lord reminded me of my identity. This seems to be the ongoing message for me. At every turn, this message is being repeated over and over. The Lord has really grabbed my attention, and this is what immediately came to my mind not only for myself, but for each one of us. With Christ, there is no need to prove who we say we are because He knew us before He laid the foundations of the earth. He knew us by name before we were conceived or even took form in our mother's womb. We are His children, and our name is written on the palm of His hand. We were created on purpose for a purpose. Striving is not needed because we are secure in Christ. We have been forgiven, pardoned, and set free because of what Jesus has done, for all of us, on the cross 2,000 years ago. Neither our past, our mistakes, nor our shortcomings define us. Our identity will always be in Jesus, as joint heirs with Him, adopted into His family. We have nothing to prove to ourself, to others, or even to Christ, because He sees us, knows us, loves us, adores us, and we will be part of His family for eternity. I am praying, just like all my attempts at the DMV and finally getting it right, that this message will finally stick like never before. May we all receive that life-changing revelation of where our identity lies. It is not in the things we look to, try to achieve in our lives, or by doing all the things, but by simply being in Jesus, beholding Him to the point of true confidence in Him and in what He has done for each one of us on the Cross.

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Blessings,

MG