Norman Vincent Peale relates this story in his book, Power of the Plus Factor.
Once walking through the twisted little streets of Kowloon in Hong Kong, I came upon a tattoo studio. In the window were displayed samples of the tattoos available. On the chest or the arms you could have tattooed an anchor or a flag - a mermaid or whatever. But what struck me with force were the words that could be tattooed on someone's flesh, "Born to lose."
I entered the shop in astonishment and, pointing to those words, asked the Chinese tattoo artist, "'Does anyone really have that terrible phrase, "Born to lose", tattooed on their body?'" He replied, "Yes, sometimes." But I said, "I just can't believe that anyone in their right mind would do that." The Chinese man simply tapped his forehead and in broken English said, "Before tattoo on body, tattoo on mind."
I thank God for the opportunity to work daily with the people of God, but tragically, and yes, even at CCWM, there are people who have a deflated view of who they are called to become in Christ! Do you realize who you are in Him? Do you see yourself through His eyes - sons and daughters - Kings and Priests before God - the very one for whom Jesus Christ bled and died? Can you comprehend the bodacious, over-the-top love God has for you? Do you realize your eternal significance?
You are of great value in the Kingdom of God. Like a Jeremiah - you were fashioned and shaped for an eternal purpose in the plan of God (Jeremiah 29:11).
God changed Abram's name to Abraham years before he sired a son. He was about 75 years old - Sarah was barren and past the age of bearing children. But in faith, Abram embraced the name Abraham (father of multitudes). He accepted a reality about himself that he couldn't yet see - really, he believed the impossible was possible through God.
What has God called you? What are you saying about yourself today? Embrace what God is saying! You were not "Born to lose!" You were BORN TO WIN! Accept the name!
Go for it!
