Melissa Dukes

As I get older, it becomes more and more clear to me how much I struggle with feeling unseen and unwanted. As I dig deeper into that, I realize how much I rely on other people’s opinions to define my worth and value. But the thing is, we weren’t created to feel passed by or looked over. We are called by name by the one who created us, the Savior, and he wants us. He wants you. He sees you.

This insecurity manifests itself in many areas of my life, and of course relationships are one of those. I’ve never felt like the “it girl,” whoever she is. And that feeling of being unseen and not sought after by men just feeds that insecurity when I’m letting relationships define my worth.

We must remember that Jesus experienced all of the human emotions that we currently are in this world. He’s been there and done that whole “fully human,” thing. And we sometimes act as if we forget the latter… the “fully human, fully God,” part. He has something to say about those feelings. He says that he CHOSE us. He called us out by name and said, “I want you.”And He has created us for a purpose that only we can fulfill.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze… Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you,” – Isaiah 43: 1-2, 4 

Do you hear that? He called you by name and is joyfully claiming you! He says, “You are beautiful, my beloved, and I want you just as you are.”

That doesn’t mean that our insecurities, fears, and flaws just go away. And it doesn’t mean that life will be all sunshine and rainbows–he never promised that. He says “when you pass through the rivers and when you walk through the fire.” He knows life will still have challenges, but He won’t leave your side when those challenges come.

Maybe you’re going through a break-up or are feeling rejected because it didn’t work out with that guy you were talking to. Those feelings are real and valid. Remember whose you are. He is right there with you in the fire and won’t let you be burned. You can still feel the heat but He will protect you from the burning of the flames. And His intention is for the two of you to walk out of that fire stronger than before.

That’s true for whatever trial you are enduring right now. Whether it’s a difficult season, relationship problems, tragedy, whatever it may be… beautiful girl, know this: He will not leave you. He won’t leave you because He called on you by name and wants you to be His.

As I write all of this, I realize how easy it is to know it in my head yet it is another to fully believe it in my heart. That’s the thing, He wants all of us–our whole heart. When we relinquish our whole heart to Him, that’s when true freedom comes and when we can allow Him to continue our transformation process. The beauty of our Lord is that He doesn’t stop calling. He keeps pursuing us, keeps redeeming us, and is still asking for our whole hearts after we prove time and time again that we don’t deserve Him.

I encourage you to explore your heart a bit. Do you feel seen by the Father? Who has your heart? Have you given him just certain parts of it? Have you ever felt the true freedom in living as His beloved?

Allow yourself to get lost in His arms as He calls you to be His and to be part of a grand purpose meant only for you.