More Than Just a Number

<p class=ql-align-justify>We live in a world defined by numbers. They are everywhere we go and define much of society. From the number on a scale to the number on a report card to the number of points on a scoreboard to the number of friends that liked a recent social media post to the number of dollars in a bank account to the number of direct reports to the number of years on the planet to the number of years single or married - the list is endless.</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>As we begin this Bible study I want to ask Are you allowing a number to define you?</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>People constantly try to portray success in numbers. Businesses report gains and losses while churches count offerings and enrollment. I grew up as a preacher's kid and often heard the church approach to numbers called the nickels-and-noses mentality. Often we allow our worst day to become the definition of who we are: the day the divorce was finalized the day cancer was diagnosed the day the dreaded birthday arrived or the day the scale's reflection didn't meet our expectations. A number can help us meet a goal and be a healthy objective or leave us empty and depleted. We are all trying to reach the next number on our list.</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>Perhaps the most important question is if we are looking and trusting in the numbers that are important to God.</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>In my life the pursuit of numbers has been an ongoing battle. The number I have often allowed to define me has been reflected on the scale.</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>The drive to attain the perfect number also drove me to find comfort in majoring in health and exercise science. I enjoyed this major and sought solace in helping others on their journey. During this time I taught aerobics worked in cardiac rehabilitation and found my place helping others through personal training. But recently the number that haunts me is the number of days I am here without my mom and dad. My mom died in 2012 followed by my dad in 2014. With each passing year that number gets larger and the loss greater.</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>Throughout this book I will share many raw experiences and I hope these experiences will help you. Whether you are a teenager looking to find your identity or a post-partum mom dealing with hormone havoc you will be reminded that your core is found in Christ. I pray you will allow God to work in your heart and life. I pray that you will see yourself anew as loved chosen accepted redeemed gifted and appreciated. And I pray that the number you most readily identify with will cease to rule and reign over your thoughts attitudes and actions.</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>The theme verses for this study are Isaiah 43:18-19: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.</p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify>So grab your Bible and get ready to start this journey. And as you begin hear your heavenly Father say loudly and clearly You are more than just a number!</p><p><br></p>