This is Me

Have you ever seen The Greatest Showman? When my amazing friend, Brandi, first told me about going to see it I just kind of smiled and listened. She was so excited about it but it didn't sound that interesting to me. I mean 'based on a true story of the guy that basically began what we now know as a circus'. Cool. But do I really want to spend the money to go watch it in theaters? Not really.

But I kept hearing about it and people kept exclaiming about how wonderful it was. So when my friends suggested renting it I agreed. I really wasn't expecting to find it to be such an amazing story.
I was laughing, yelling and tearing up. I was completely caught up in the story. And the soundtrack! Oh my! I knew right away that I would want to hear these songs again.

There was one song in particular that stood out to me more then any other. During this incredible scene when all of the circus people band together they sing 'This is Me' by Keala Settle, written just for this movie.

It starts out with words that really make you think.

"I am not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
'Cause we don't want your broken parts
I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one'll love you as you are"

Haven't we all felt that way at times? I mean seriously, who hasn't been ashamed or felt unwanted, unloved. But we are wanted, we are loved, and we have a Friend who is not ashamed of us. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, He is proud to claim us and rejoices when we come to Him.

The second verse is also pretty amazing and calls us to hold our heads high.

"I am not a stranger to the dark
Hide away, they say
'Cause we don't want your broken parts
I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
Run away, they say
No one'll love you as you are"

Pretty incredible that because we are children of the Lord we don't have to be ashamed.

The song is amazing but it's the chorus is that I really want to share with you today.

"I won't let them break me down to dust
I know that there's a place for us
For we are glorious

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me"

I may not know you but I know the One who does. Whatever you're going through today remember that you don't have to hide from Him. He will help you. He made you who are and even when you have bumps and bruises you can still offer yourself to Him and say- This is me. He will never reject you.

"My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
Psalm 51:17