I’ve been a bit absent lately. Oh…who am I kidding…I’ve been VERY blog absent lately. I’m not sure I’ve gone this long without a post in several years actually. I could give you excuse after excuse for why I’ve been a MIA, but in all honesty, they are simply that…excuses! Legit or not…they are still excuses.

And so…here I am…January 1 of another NEW year, and I pause to take inventory. No – not a physical inventory but rather an inventory of where I am “in life” on this first day of 2013 and where I thought I would be (or should be).

In my quiet time this morning, I stumbled upon a verse in a very familiar book of scripture that I’ve read countless times before but suddenly saw with new eyes this morning:

He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ.” ~John 1:20 (NIV84)

At this point in the book, John the Baptist is here acknowledging that he is not the one that many have tried to point to as the Messiah, but the Christ…the Messiah…Jesus…is now among them, and John the Baptist confesses that it is not he. Other versions put it this way…

And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” (NASB)

And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. (KJV)

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” (ESV)

When Jews from Jerusalem sent a group of priests and officials to ask John who he was, he was completely honest. He didn’t evade the question. He told the plain truth: “I am not the Messiah.” (v. 19-20, MSG)

I love how John the Baptist told the “plain truth”, as the Message version points out or “confessed freely” as the NIV84 states it. I was challenged in my spirit this morning that I also need do a confession, of sorts. I need to confess a few things about “who I am” or where I’m at on this first day of a new year.

I am far from my writing and speaking goals.

I am still struggling to make my weight loss goals my reality.

I continue to take on more “stuff” and yet fail to set boundaries to accommodate the load.

I am a perfectionist that is suddenly finding herself disorganized in most aspects of life (again, partially due to lack of boundaries).

I am still challenged with some physical limitations in my knee and lower back.

I am still an imperfect parent and a wife that has plenty of room to grow.

I still need lots of grace and need to learn to pour it out more on others.

I am still inadequate in the time I spend with the Lord each day.

However, like John…I also know who I am in Christ. And, while I need to confess areas that need growth or change in my life, like those above, I also need to remember…a confess freely…who Christ, my Messiah, says I am…

I am loved.

I am redeemed.

I am saved.

I am holy and blameless.

I am forgiven.

I am not condemned.

I have been given Christ’s peace.

I am a daughter of the King.

I am free from sin and death.

I am God’s friend.

I have the mind of Christ.

I am capable of doing all things through Christ.

I am not oppressed.

I am free.

And, that’s simply the beginning. Yes, while I’m not where I want to be, I have to pause and recognize who I am, Whose I am, and all that’s already been attained for me by the One that loved me enough to die for me.

While it’s important and necessary to confess our sins and critical to “take inventory” of our life from time to time to ensure that we are still in line with God’s plan for us, we also need to be prepared to move forward. Do not dwell on the past. Get ready to embrace all that God has in store for His obedient children and move forward in that. Confess freely who you are in Christ…who He says you are, and in doing so, you acknowledge who He is, much like John the Baptist on that day over 2000 years ago…our Savior…the Christ…Immanuel…our Redeemer…King of Kings…the Messiah.

Remember not the former things,
    nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert. 

~Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)