” Our deepest wishes are whispers of our authentic selves. We must learn to respect them. We must learn to listen.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
It’s fascinating to reflect on the beginning of time when the world came into existence through God’s spoken word. According to the creation story, humans were made in God’s image and were designed with a spirit, mind, emotions, self-consciousness, and the power of choice. It’s incredible that God uniquely fashioned us in the exact way He wanted. He declared that everything He created was good, including mankind. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made ( Psalm 139:13-14)”.
However, when sin entered the world, it changed the whole persona of mankind. Yes, that’s correct. According to Christian theology, God created humans in His image and likeness. However, when humans sinned, it caused a separation between God and humans, and the image of God in humans was marred. This is why the redemption and salvation of humanity through Jesus Christ is an essential tenet of the Christian faith. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them ( Ephesians 2:10).”
The Transformation
The only remedy that would allow mankind to once again be in a right relationship with a holy God was the shedding of blood. Hebrews 9:22 reads, “ And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission.” God Himself left His throne and embodied human flesh, born of a virgin, becoming that perfect sacrifice without a blemish to redeem man and, once and for all, take away the sins of the world.
For many Christians, accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and being born of water and spirit is the key to achieving salvation and reconnecting with God. This belief is rooted in the teachings of the Bible, which describe Jesus as the Son of God and emphasize the importance of faith and repentance in attaining eternal life. By placing their faith in Jesus and undergoing baptism, Christians believe they can be reborn and reconciled with God.
This powerful spiritual transformation can bring a renewed sense of purpose, hope, and meaning to one’s life, ultimately leading to a closer relationship with the divine. Because God is a merciful God, he forgives man of their sins. Micah 7:19 reads, “ He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us: he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
The Journey
By following God’s teachings daily, we become God’s children and restore our connection with our Creator. This approach helps us return to the self God intended for us. By aligning our lives with God’s word, we become sons and daughters according to His divine plan and will. The Word of God wrote in I John 3:2 reads, “ Beloved, now we are children of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
The beauty of this revelation is that we will witness a Holy God who is genuine, not a deity made of stone or crafted by human hands. We will see an authentic God. If we witness a real God instead of a false one, we will begin to resemble this Holy God. As children of the Most High God, let us embrace who we are and were created to be. Most importantly, instead of trying to become like someone else, let us walk in our unique mold and be authentic! Remember, there is and never will be another you!
” The authentic self is the soul made visible.” Sarah Ban Breathnach