Finding our muchness...

Something that's been rattling around in my brain a lot recently is the idea of "becoming" who we already are. Kelly touched on this in her entry and in the verses from Galatians - so good. This is something that I think the Lord as been stealthily trying to sear into my brain for a while now. (This is Anna, duh.)

So while watching Alice in Wonderland over the weekend, I was again reminded. Not to give any spoilers or anything, but in the movie Alice is confronted with the question of if she is, or is not, Alice. Is she herself? Who is she really? One comment that the Mad Hatter makes to her about halfway through the film is, "Alice, you've lost your muchness." This comment seems to haunt her for a good portion of her journey.

I identify with that. I often feel that I've "lost my muchness." To me, this means that sometimes I feel like I've past my prime - like when I discover the patch of gray hairs on my temple or struggle to run 3 miles on the treadmill when I used to be able to run 20. I hate that feeling. Sometimes it means that I feel that way with God. Like when I remember the passion and fire and simple faith that I had in high school, and I feel defeated at the complications in my spiritual life in the present.

We are confronted with this idea of not being "much" enough everywhere. It's pervasive - you are not good enough as you are. I feel this way as a Christian often. I always struggle with the feeling that I've got to do more. That I'm not good enough. That I don't pray enough or meditate on the Word enough. That somehow, I don't have God's approval.

But then I settle down and read Ephesians. Ephesians always seems to get my head on straight when I'm lost. (All of the verses below come from The Message)

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and go our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Eph 1:11-12)

Then Paul goes into this prayer for the Ephesians...

I ask the God of our Master Jesus Christ to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in who trust him - endless energy, boundless strength! (Eph 1:17-19)

Then he launches into this beautiful statement of Christ's power... where we get this energy and strength from. Resurrection power! The same power that raised Christ from the dead is the power that we have access to. Crazy.

In chapter 3, we get to one of my favorite verses...

Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Eph 3:19-20)

I think the point is this. Paul is reminding the Ephesians who they already are. They have been saved. It was not through their own power. They are being sanctified. Again, not through their own power. They ARE. God had them before they were even aware. God has had us before we were even aware. We HAVE our muchness! It's in Christ.

So my challenge to myself is to remember. To not forget (as I so easily do) that my muchness is in Christ.

And just like Alice, knowing that I have "muchness" will change the way I live. Realizing it will free me to live out of it. Out of him.

"Lost my muchness have I? We'll see about that."