Being True to Yourself

At the PARC our passion is for those that come to be known in such a way that they understand their value and worth.We often say we want them to 'find themselves.' So many of our members, and so many of us, define ourselves by the things we have done, and in a lot of cases are still doing. I had a conversation with a member last week who asked me the question, "Do you think God can forgive someone for murder?" I assured him emphatically that yes God can. "Are you sure?" he said, "Because my father murdered 3 people" as he held down his head in shame. I had a member tell me just yesterday that she hadn't been to the PARC in a long time because she had been involved in things and she didn't want to disappoint us. I looked her directly in the eye and said, "Amanda, don't EVER let that keep you from coming here. We love you for who you are. NOT for what you do." It is hard to receive that. It is hard for us to receive and remember who we really are. It is hard to receive forgiveness for ourselves and to not be held back by shame when we define ourselves by what we do; by our sin or shortcomings.

I love what Paul says in Romans 8:20 "So if my behavior contradicts my desires to do good, I must conclude that it's not my true identity doing it, but the unwelcome intruder of sin hindering me  from being who I really am."  So many of us look at ourselves through the eyes of our behavior and the things we have done, and might perhaps still be doing. We do our best at the PARC to help them remember their true identity by establishing a place where they aren't judged, they never run out of chances, and what happens outside the PARC stays outside the PARC.They don't come in as someone who has been to prison, is struggling with addiction or had a fight last night and got kicked out of Salvation Army. We have the honor of seeing them all the way. down to their true identity. To get past the layers of sin and shame and see the REAL person. The amazing person they were created to be! It is the greatest honor and joy of my life. Yes, it is very, very hard sometimes, but it is ALWAYS worth it. Praise God that is what He sees when He looks at me!