I tend to listen to Christian music more than usual when I’m on an airplane. I pray more than usual, too. Part of it is that above the clouds, I feel like I’m somehow closer to Him. But most of it is because turbulence is terrifying and I feel closer to death. Every time the airplane shakes or dips I start asking myself, Did I tell everyone I loved them? Was I nice to people? I start prepping myself when the plane is going down to stand up and say Do you all know Jesus?!?!

It is pretty ridiculous. As I flew this week, I listened to the Bethel album to calm my nerves and because I don’t have room on my phone for anything else.

I started thinking about the week to come; I was flying to a training in Tahoe for my job. I found myself thinking through how to make sure people would like me, what I would do and not do to be annoying/look intelligent/etc. Have you ever done that? Do you ever feel like you have to paste on a new face, become someone less than you are in order to impress or fit in?

Maybe it was because I was more in tune with the Lord, praying more and depending on Him more, but I heard Him loud and clear on that airplane and I was so grateful. He stopped my self-deprecation and asked me some questions:

What if who you are is ok? What if you’re allowed to be your true self because your true self is beautiful and dear and a reflection of the image of God? What if you could stop worrying about what people think of you? What if your confidence came from what I think of you – that you are treasured and loved and created on purpose…? What would living like that look like?”

The Bethel song in the background echoed the same thought: “I am seen, and I am known, by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

This is my encouragement to you today – Jesus asks you those same questions. Maybe take a minute? Think about how that might change how you are living, interacting, relating…

What if who you are is ok? [and by “ok” He means wonderful, amazing, awesome…]

What if you are allowed to be your true self because your true self is ____? [Maybe ask Him? How would He describe you? Don’t let fear keep you from hearing His voice.]

What if you could stop worrying about what people think of you? [Because this frees us up to freely love others and allow them to be who they are – to be their true selves. What greater gift could we give one another?]

What if your confidence came from what I [the Lord] think of you – that you are treasured and loved and created on purpose? [Because that is true, you know…You are the love of His life, the JOY of His heart, and He has written you a story.]

What would it look like to live like that?

Beyond anything else, friend, know that you are SEEN and KNOWN and LOVED by the King of Kings – the Creator of the Universe, the God of the Skies. And when life comes right down to it, what anyone else thinks of you just doesn’t really matter.