Signs of Wholeness

Have you ever been in a dark room right after hearing a scary story on the news or watching a creepy movie on TV? Or perhaps you needed to get somewhere at night and you are worried about tripping or losing your way.

No matter your age, you likely feel more comfortable and confident with a light as your guide.

Have you ever felt unsure of what next step to take in your life? Or like you’re wandering around alone in the dark?

The lamp of the body is the eye. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be filled with light, but if your eye is evil, your whole body will be filled with darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:22-23

Before we encounter Jesus, we can live vibrant lives, but they will be lacking an important spark. There is an aching hole in our hearts that can only be filled by Jesus’ light.

Jesus is our comforter, companion, source of confidence, and the one we can turn to when we make mistakes. As we journey together to become more of who God created us to be, we should ultimately become more and more whole.

But what is wholeness and what does it look like?

To me, wholeness means being completely yourself, unashamed and unburdened, while living fully into your purpose. Because we live in a broken world, we likely won’t feel whole all of the time. But we can celebrate the “green flags” in our lives that remind us that we are on the right track.

As we follow Jesus, we are becoming who we are meant to be, and that is so beautiful.

Signs you are becoming more whole

• You don’t feel as easily swayed by peer pressure or the fear of missing out
• You are not ashamed of your appearance, your mistakes, your passions, or who you are in Christ
• You are able to set boundaries with kindness and “no” becomes a regular part of your vocabulary
• You are able to let go of things that are out of your control
• You don’t feel the need to rush the process
• Time with God becomes a habit and an enjoyable part of your day
• You feel less and less like you have to hide things from God
• You respect yourself and those around you
• Though you may feel lonely at times, you are comforted in the reminder that you are really never alone
• You feel strong enough to serve others with Jesus’ love
• Negative self-talk ceases
• You don’t feel burdened by resentment or tied down by vengefulness
• It isn’t painful to celebrate other people’s victories; you know that you are not behind even if you aren’t on the same track as them
• No matter what you are doing, you know that you have a purpose
• You are eager to pursue God’s will, even if it isn’t clear yet
• Perhaps others are beginning to notice positive changes in you 🙂

I hope this list isn’t overwhelming for you, but rather encouraging. It isn’t a checklist to complete, but rather a reminder that you are growing and changing even when your goals feel out of reach. Celebrate the small successes — they really aren’t so small. Ask God for joy for the journey, even when life is redundant or difficult, and trust that you will be sustained even in your sadness, anger, or grief.

We don’t have to pretend with God. Deep, honest, and vulnerable relationship with Him is perhaps the biggest step of growth itself.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:9-12