I Choose Today to be Fully Accepted

God doesn’t want us to hold anything back from Him—not our imperfections, mistakes, weaknesses, uncertainties, fears, anxieties, or doubts. He cares deeply about all those things because He cares so deeply about you. In fact, He knows the exact number of hairs on your head!

“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:7 NLT

I used to struggle with this idea of being fully accepted by God. After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of my son to SIDS, I wrestled with overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, doubt, and guilt. I wondered if God could truly love and accept someone like me, with all the pain and brokenness I carried. It felt impossible to give Him my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength when so much of me was wrapped in grief and uncertainty.

But it was in that season of brokenness that I discovered just how deeply God accepts us—flaws, fears, and all. I remember sitting in prayer one day, feeling like I had nothing to offer but tears. And yet, in that moment, I felt His presence so clearly. He didn’t ask me to have it all together or be perfect; He just wanted me to come as I was. It was as though He was whispering, “I see you, I love you, and I accept you—right here, right now.”

This truth changed everything for me: God’s love and acceptance are not conditional on our perfection. He just wants us—our whole selves, doubts and all.

This same love that met me in my brokenness is the love we see in the stories of Zacchaeus and the woman at the well. Zacchaeus desperately wanted to be seen for who he truly was, not for what he had done. The woman at the well was an outcast, marginalized by her community because of her choices. Yet Jesus went out of His way to meet both of them where they were, showing them compassion, acceptance, and love. Jesus chose them, and He chooses you too.

He didn’t tell Zacchaeus to change before He could visit his house. Zacchaeus didn’t have to earn Jesus’ acceptance—it was given freely. And being with Christ, experiencing His authentic love and compassion, sparked repentance and redemption. When we experience the authenticity of His love, like Zacchaeus did, it doesn’t leave us unchanged—it inspires us to live with purpose and transformation. That’s the beauty of Jesus: His love changes us, it transforms us, but it starts with His acceptance of us as we are.

So today, we have a couple of choices. First, Jesus wants to lavish His love and compassion on you. Will you accept it? My advice: say yes. It’s a free gift, and it will change your life.

Secondly, we have the opportunity to be imitators of Christ. Will you go out of your way to show love and compassion to someone else? Think about Zacchaeus or the woman at the well. Who in your life needs to feel seen, accepted, and loved? Ask God to open your eyes and give you the courage to meet them where they are.

Take a moment today to reflect on what it means to be fully accepted by God. What parts of yourself are you hesitant to bring to Him? Write them down, and in prayer, surrender those fears, imperfections, or doubts to Him.

Then, think about someone in your life who might feel unseen or unloved. How can you go out of your way to show them the love and compassion of Christ this week? It might be a kind word, an act of service, or simply listening to them without judgment.

Finally, ask God to help you see others through His eyes and give you opportunities to reflect His love and acceptance to those who need it most.