I was on the 436 bus heading into Sydney one morning when an older woman, wearing a faded floral dress, hobbled onto the bus and sat down next to me. We traveled for some time in silence. Then the floral lady did the most extraordinary thing. She turned, thrust her head in my face, and with her brown eyes bulging and her stained teeth bared, she cried, “I’m alright, aren’t I?”
I jumped.
“Well, of course you’re alright,” I said, lying.
“Some people think I’m funny in the head,” she replied.
“Now, why would they think that?” I asked. She said she didn’t know, then fell back into silence.
A few minutes later she crossed the aisle and sat next to the only other person on the bus. She turned to him and said, ”I’m alright, aren’t I?”
I wondered how many times that question would be asked that day. She longed for assurance so desperately that she sought it from any stranger in her path.
Am I alright? Am I acceptable? Am I lovable? All of us ask questions like these. The gospel says to all who embrace Jesus, to all who accept His sacrifice for their sins, that He will give the right to become children of God (John 1:12-13). “See how very much our Father loves us,” the apostle John exclaims, “for He calls us His children” (1 John 3:1).
You have a most profound identity in Jesus. God the Father has adopted you (Ephesians 1:5), given you His Spirit, and made you an heir to His inheritance (Galatians 4:6). You may be ridiculed and rejected, you may have little in the world’s eyes, yet God looks at you and says, “My child.”
“I’m alright, aren’t I?” we ask anxiously.
“In Me, yes, you are,” the Father replies.
And He isn’t lying.
More:
• Romans 8:15-16
• Galatians 4:4-7
Next:
How much do you relate to God as your Father, who shares His inheritance with you? As you go about your day, how will you remind yourself that you are your Father’s child?
lydia tejada on January 17, 2010 at 8:15 am
For many years I could’t accept tis because my earthly father had abused me so badly that my life was a real mess and I could’nt trust men in general but as time went on I was able to heal in this area of my life and through the help of the Holy Spirit, I am now accepting God as my real father and thank him daily for his plan of salvation and freedom to have a relationship with him through Jesus Christ whom gave his life as a ransom for all of us. It is the most precious gift I have ever received and will treasure it till we come face to face in His Kingdom.
sheridan voysey on January 25, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Hi Lydia. Thanks so much for sharing of your struggles to see God as ‘Father’ after what you’d been through with your earthly father. I’d love to know – what has the Holy Spirit used to help you heal? Was there a particular turning point for you? I know others would be blessed to know.
Sheridan
fabi on January 17, 2010 at 8:46 am
Thank you for such a beautiful devotional!
It is quite a path most of us take in this life wondering if we are alright. Desperately seeking people’s approval when the approval that counts the most is GOD’s.
Of course we are alright, in Him. He tells us so through David in Psalm 139:13-16. Whenever we long for our being alright, as He made us, all we need to do is come to GOD in earnst prayer, doing just as David did, when He asked GOD to search his heart, test him and know his anxious thoughts, seeing if there was any offensive ways in him so GOD could lead him in the way eveslating (verses 23,24).
Almighty LORD, God, thank You for the gift of being called Your child, allowing me to call You, Father. In Jesus Name, amen.
sheridan voysey on January 25, 2010 at 10:17 pm
Amen!
bethanyF on January 17, 2010 at 9:41 am
This devotional was a blessing from God. I started my Master’s application yesterday and have been stressed out. I have major anxiety issues already and take many medications. I want to continue and get my master’s degree and am worried that I won’ t be alright. I wonder if it will give me so much anxiety that I can’t complete it. It scares me, but I need to hold on to God’s word and talk to him about it.
sheridan voysey on January 25, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Hi Bethany. Isn’t it funny how that dreaded fear can hold us back from even *trying* things. What’s the worst that can happen if you *don’t* finish it. In grand terms perhaps not much. May God bless you with peace as you learn to walk with Him through your days and weeks ahead.
shayskin on January 17, 2010 at 10:42 am
Thank you for that devotional this morning I have been so stressed out over school and my finanically sitiuation that I need to know that I am alright something myself so i understand how the lady feel it like she is an angel on the bus asking poeple how they are really feeling about them selves It is like opening my mind to what is going on in my life
Pray for my aunt who is 77 years old and is in the hospital under hospice care that soul be made whole so she can see Jesus
And for the man i love his son got hit by a train 2days ago that he would have full recovery
God is in control and he gets the glory
Love you all
Chileshe on January 17, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Thank you very much for the devotional. The confusion of the daily rat-race can lead you to pause the same question. I am glad, however, as believers and true followers of the Lord Jesus Chriist we can be rest assured our identity is not in question. Yes, we are alright! Thank GOD. Amen
jjw2855 on January 17, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Amen! Thanks Sheridan. Colossians 2: v 9 & 10 quotes, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” So I am alright in Christ my Saviour.
Yes Fabi, the approval that counts the most is GOD’s.
Hi Lydia, give it all to Jesus. He loves you and cares for you. He will comfort you. I will pray for you.
Hi Bethany, St Paul says, in Philippians 4: 13 “I can do all things through Christ[a] who strengthens me.” Jesus will give you strength and wisdom to complete your Masters. Keep praying. I will pray for you.
Hi Shayskin, will pray for your Aunty and son of the man you love.
Hi Chileshe, So true. Thanks and praise to God.
And everyone please pray for my eldest son. He has to appear in Magistrate’s Court next month for an issue which is not his fault. He has all papers to prove it, but it is complicated. We need Christ to intervene and take over the whole situation, so my son can prove that he is done everything legally right.
sheridan voysey on January 25, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Thanks JJW. I add my amen to your pastoral prayers for Lydia, Bethany, Shayskin and Chileshe.
riri on January 19, 2010 at 7:29 am
This devotion is right on time. Everyone struggles with acceptance, worrying about being accepted by man instead of being assured that we are accepted by God. Wow!
Rody on January 25, 2010 at 9:25 pm
I been bless, thank you
Invisible on September 26, 2010 at 5:08 pm
I’ve been looking through the site for something that talked about how you can know for sure if you’re accepted by God, for the past day, and just came across this and a few others on the subject. I’m reading those next but just wanted to say I appreciate it. I guess it’s also time that I start reading the bible for myself.
pretty on February 13, 2011 at 6:01 am
thanks for this message. Actually this the ques I’m asking to myself right now? bec’z when ur loved one says u r not good good for nothing. it’s great to know that i’m good for something in GOD. pls pray for me .
sheridan voysey on February 14, 2011 at 8:37 pm
I will pray, pretty. Your Father’s opinion trumps every other opinion about you that you hear or are told. Praying for strength, wisdom and healing for your relationship.