I've often described myself as a "loved and forgiven child of God." A week or so ago as I was talking to a dear family member, I stressed that I was a "flawed" and forgiven child of God.
Although that sounds, "surface good," it's good only as long as I will remember the forgiven part. I can then accept that I am no longer in the "flawed" catagory. Jesus' death on the cross erased that part of my identity. He made me clean and new.
Jesus' sacrifice for us changed our identity, but we can still keep on "becoming" - becoming more like Him. Oh yes, we still struggle with the opportunity to mess up and mar the beautiful work that Jesus did when He died for us. But we can still become examples, as dearly loved children of the King.
Children, when they are asked what they want to be, or to do when they grow up, may give grandious answers. Possibly, they may plan on "becoming" an astronaut, the president, superman, or even like mom or dad.
While they plan on "becoming" something special, they don't always know that they already are. The innocence of that is so beautiful.
And, as we grow and age, sometimes we forget that we can
still keep on "becoming."
that I don't mar the beauty
of my Savior's sacrifice