Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12, Romans 8:17, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:6, Ephesians 1:6, 2:13, 2 Corinthians 5: 21, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:38-39
When I was a little girl my mom would drop me off with my older cousin who babysat me while she worked. I was in kindergarten at the time and my cousin would walk me to school and pick me up after, and we would walk back to her house. On occasion, I was allowed to go a couple of houses down to the neighbors to play with their daughters. I would open their gate and walk down their short side walk to the stairs that lead to the porch. I would knock on the door and sometimes their Dad would be the one who answered. When he saw it was me, he would immediately say “Hey it’s riffraff!” I had no idea what that meant but I knew it must not have been good because his wife would elbow him every time. I know he meant no harm in saying that about me because I assume it came from a time I showed up at the door, probably my hair a mess, my clothes dirty and possibly barefoot, so in all honesty I probably did look a little riffraffish! So, he may have intended to say it that time but after that it stuck.
I remember as an adult wondering what that word “riffraff” meant exactly so I proceeded to dictionary.com. I almost regretted it at the time because although I knew it was not favorable, I found out just how unfavorable it really was. The first definition of riffraff is this - “1. People, or group of people, regarded as disreputable or worthless, 2. The lowest classes, rabble, 3. Trash; rubbish.” I was mildly offended but did not give it too much merit because I knew it was not said with malintent. I did not give it any more attention until just a few days ago. I was on my way to work and contemplating the past 30 years as I made my last commute to work because I had retired. Then, just like He does, God gave me a wink and I had this thought - not bad for riffraff!!! It was at that moment that Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to His purpose.”, came to me. What the enemy meant for bad, God used for my good and His glory!
This led me to do a deeper dive in who we are as sons and daughters of the Most High God! Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” That meant I was no longer riffraff because I was made NEW! This also makes us a child of God and Heir and co-heir with Christ, if we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory, (Romans 8:17). In 1 Peter 2:9, we are told that we are a chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, and “...people belonging to God so that we may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” The bible also tells us we are forgiven, free, accepted, righteous and created for a divine purpose. As children of God we can do ALL things through Him who gives us strength and we are secure in that “...neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
As I reflected on this word, and all that God did in me and through me throughout the years, healing and restoring me. I also thought about all I was able to accomplish, raising three exceptional sons, completing a degree, 30 years of dedication to my work at the college and now my ministry. I felt so much gratitude that God would take what the enemy meant for my harm, and use it for my good and His glory! If you find yourself in a place or circumstance where someone may not be speaking favorable words over you, whether intentionally or unintentionally, I hope you come back here to reference these scripture and remind yourself of ALL that GOD says you are and find security and confidence in knowing you are an heir, created for divine purpose and intention!
~A Diva's Diary
