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Validation

Well, the past few days have been...interesting.  Through various unrelated situations, I've realized just how much I want to be validated.  That is to say, I want approval! Everyone wants to know they are liked or loved or valued.  I want to take this a step further, though.  Let's go a little deeper.

I always thought "approval addicts" were those who couldn't do anything without applause.  If a good deed was done, it was more for the recognition rather than the act of kindness for another person and that may be true in that situation.  However, I have come to notice that I have let certain things in my life determine my worth, my effectiveness.  Today, I stand corrected!

The first chapter of Ephesians tells us that God the Father foreordained us, even before the foundation of the world, to be His adopted child.  The amplified translation states  we were actually handpicked, destined, and planned "in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent..]"  How marvelous!  See, the scripture doesn't say He handpicked us because we have the best singing voice, or the biggest house, or because we wear the finest clothes.  There is no mention of how our kids behave or how close we believe we are to perfection in our walk with Him.  The scripture says He adopted us simply because it pleased Him. 

It pleased Him to adopt me.  Just as I am. 

Isaiah 54:17 "But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me, says the Lord."

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