He Is All That I Am Not

Hello my fellow ocean-walkers!

I pray that as you’re reading this, you are experiencing the grandest, most magnificent day.

As it has been quite some time since my last blog post, I thought I would update you all on the spiritual, emotional, and relational journey God has taken me on in the past two months. For a bit of context, here are a few pieces of information about me if you weren’t already aware:

I wear many hats. I am an Outdoor Educator. I am a writer. I am a student. I am a teacher. I am an artist. I am a daughter. And a sister. And a friend. And as I juggle the challenges that come with wearing and depending on those hats and many more, I often forget the most significant role I have ever had the privilege of stepping into: The role of a believer.

First and foremost, I am a believer in Jesus Christ. Not just a believer, but a follower. And not just a follower, but a daughter. Not only a daughter, but a friend. In any variation of my relationship with the One who created me, I have, at times, forgotten that through Him is where my remaining titles are sourced. Admittedly, the intangible roles of God’s Kingdom are often the most important, yet are often the most forgotten.

As I came to this gradual yet blatant understanding, it came to my remembrance the magnitude of not solely who Jesus is within the many hats and titles He wears, but of His magnificent power in the face of our infinite weakness.

As I embark on this incredible World Race journey, I find myself occasionally stuck on the path of seeking out provision, encouragement, surety, hope, and confidence in my own titles and positions in life, rather than in the names Jesus carries Himself.

Isaiah 7:14 calls Jesus by the name “Immanuel” or “God with us”. He is not merely a God above us, but one who stepped into flesh and bone to exist in our finiteness and limitations to show us what it meant to be both a servant and one who is served. Both a leader of the masses and a follower of God the Father. He chose to be with us on Earth to show not only the significance of who He is, but the significance of who we are through Him.

Acts 3:14 calls Him the “Holy and Righteous One”. He was the only perfect, sinless man to walk the face of the earth He created. This alone shows us that in our frailty and imperfection, He is and always will be faultless, perfect, and truly righteous, where we are not.

Acts 3:15 titles Him the “Author of Life”. He created life itself, wrote the beginning and end of the beautiful existence of creation, which means that He, as the Author, has full authority over this story of life.

Revelation 1:8 says that Jesus is the “Alpha and Omega” (the beginning and the end) and the “Almighty”. Jesus is both the Author and the Word itself. He is the center of everything that has breath. He is the opening scene and the final credits, and everything in between.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls Jesus our “Comforter”. Jesus steps in as our help in times of need. He holds us when we’re mourning. He gives our legs strength to stand despite our weakness. Our tears and pain are seen and known by Him, therefore are covered by His love.

John 15:15 calls Jesus our “Friend”. He is not only a God who stands above us, or a God who leads the way. He stands beside us, holding our hand, as young children would on a school playground. He laughs with us. He talks to us. He embraces us with unending love.

Jesus is our Savior and our Counselor. He is our Teacher and our Ally. He is our Father and our Provider. The sooner we allow Him to step into His innumerous roles in our lives, that is when we come to the understanding that the titles we have for ourselves are insignificant in light of everything He is.

In light of this, I know that I have no room to doubt making my financial goal for the World Race because He is my Provider. I have no reason to live in stress or anxiety over planning every detail and preparing for every step, because He is my Comforter. I have no right to fear sickness or ailment because He is my Healer.

My prayer is that you would consider whatever area of your life that you haven’t given over completely to God, and remember that in every area of brokenness, hardship, heartbreak, doubt, or concern, He is waiting for you to lay it at His feet with the knowledge that He, in His many hats, will conquer it greater than we ever could.

You Are Loved,

Aliseya