Latest / Marriage Life and More and Bible Study / Unqualified - Three Different Me's, Pt 9 - 190

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Unqualified - Three Different Me's, Pt 9 - 190 · Marriage Life and More and Bible Study

• 0:13
  Daniel Moore: As parents, we have an important responsibility and privilege of helping our children discover and embrace their true identities.
• 0:19
  Daniel Moore: We are entrusted with a God-given insight into who our children are meant to be, and we play a crucial role in nurturing and guiding them towards realizing their full potential.
• 0:30
  Daniel Moore: This process of identity formation is a delicate and significant journey that requires love, patience and understanding.
• 0:39
  Daniel Moore: This week we're going to dig into the lives of Jacob and Esau.
• 0:44
  Daniel Moore: We'll be back right after this.
• 1:21
  Daniel Moore: Welcome to Connecting the Gap podcast.
• 1:27
  Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, your host.
• 1:28
  Daniel Moore: Back here again.
• 1:29
  Daniel Moore: We're into another episode this week here on the podcast.
• 1:33
  Daniel Moore: Thank you for joining us this week.
• 1:34
  Daniel Moore: If you're not familiar with our show, you can check out our website, wwwconnectingthegapnet, and there you'll find all of our platforms, our YouTube and Rumble links.
• 1:43
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• 1:46
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• 1:51
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• 2:00
  Daniel Moore: We'd be eternally grateful to you for doing that.
• 2:03
  Daniel Moore: That helps our podcast to grow.
• 2:05
  Daniel Moore: Also, if you'd like a copy of this week's transcription for the podcast, that's also on our website, as well as the rest of the episodes in this series.
• 2:16
  Daniel Moore: Well, as I stated earlier, we are in part nine of our 12-part series on feeling unqualified and this week, as we get into this new episode, we're going to be talking about the three different me's.
• 2:29
  Daniel Moore: You know, when I was a kid, I created my fair share of fake identities.
• 2:47
  Daniel Moore: I used to watch Karate Kid and other karate movies and try to work on all the karate moves and would have fake fights.
• 2:55
  Daniel Moore: It wasn't that I was trying to be something that I wasn't or that I was trying to deceive anyone.
• 3:02
  Daniel Moore: Maybe it was just me trying to belong, or maybe it was too uncomfortable to embrace who I was and, you know, it might have even been a little bit of both.
• 3:11
  Daniel Moore: I also remember my friend and I riding bikes and acting like we were semis, pulling big loads.
• 3:18
  Daniel Moore: At one point we even said that we would be a truck driving team.
• 3:22
  Daniel Moore: When we got older, we even said that we would be a truck driving team.
• 3:25
  Daniel Moore: When we got older, we'd back into a ditch and act like we were at a loading dock, unloading our cargo and getting a brand new load.
• 3:32
  Daniel Moore: You know those were the days.
• 3:33
  Daniel Moore: Countless times as a kid, I would be something different and live in a land of make-believe.
• 3:39
  Daniel Moore: That's just what kids did back in those days when they didn't have a TV to watch, and it was in pre-cell phone days.
• 3:47
  Daniel Moore: When we grow up, we may be a little bit more sophisticated than kids, but our ability to pretend who we are is just as perfected, sometimes maybe even more, and not even in a good way, you know, to quote the inimitable prince.
• 4:04
  Daniel Moore: Have you ever thought about how much of our lives revolves around us?
• 4:16
  Daniel Moore: Appearance, image, reputation and recognition they all play a significant role in our daily lives.
• 4:23
  Daniel Moore: From the way we present ourselves in public to the way we interact with others.
• 4:29
  Daniel Moore: These factors shape how others perceive us and how we perceive ourselves.
• 4:36
  Daniel Moore: In today's society, where social media and constant comparison are prevalent, there is immense pressure to maintain a certain image and reputation.
• 4:44
  Daniel Moore: We often find ourselves seeking validation and recognition from others, whether it be through likes on a post or compliments from our peers.
• 4:58
  Daniel Moore: This constant need for approval can lead us to launch daily PR campaigns where we showcase our successes and highlight our strengths to prove our worth to others and ourselves.
• 5:05
  Daniel Moore: We become hyper-aware of our shortcomings and weaknesses, which can cause feelings of embarrassment, frustration and insecurity.
• 5:14
  Daniel Moore: In an effort to overcome these feelings, many of us may try to emulate the qualities of those we perceive as successful or desirable.
• 5:23
  Daniel Moore: We may quote-unquote, fake it until we make it pretending to be someone we are not in order to fit in or climb the social ladder.
• 5:32
  Daniel Moore: However, this facade is not sustainable in the long run.
• 5:38
  Daniel Moore: Eventually, the pressure to maintain an image that is not true to ourselves can lead to burnout and a sense of emptiness.
• 5:45
  Daniel Moore: It is important to remember that true success and fulfillment come from being authentic and true to oneself, rather than trying to be someone that we are not.
• 5:56
  Daniel Moore: Jacob, our case study for the next few episodes, was a master pretender.
• 6:01
  Daniel Moore: And what did that get him?
• 6:03
  Daniel Moore: Where did that land him?
• 6:05
  Daniel Moore: Well, in Genesis 25, verse 24 to 26, it is described how Jacob had identity issues from the moment he was born.
• 6:14
  Daniel Moore: Jacob was a twin, born second after his brother, esau.
• 6:19
  Daniel Moore: The name Jacob means holder of the heel or supplanter, as he was born holding onto Esau's heel.
• 6:27
  Daniel Moore: This act of holding onto his twin brother's heel was symbolic of Jacob's future behavior, where he would try to supplant or deceive others to gain an advantage.
• 6:38
  Daniel Moore: Jacob's name set the tone for his life, as it foreshadowed his struggles with identity and self-worth.
• 6:48
  Daniel Moore: From a young age, he lived in the shadow of his older brother, esau, who was favored by their father.
• 6:53
  Daniel Moore: Isaac.
• 6:53
  Daniel Moore: Jacob apparently never got over losing the race down the birth canal.
• 6:58
  Daniel Moore: He spent the next few decades plotting and scheming to get what Esau had.
• 7:03
  Daniel Moore: Few decades plotting and scheming to get what Esau had.
• 7:08
  Daniel Moore: Jacob constantly felt the need to compete with Esau and prove his worth, leading him to engage in schemes and deceitful tactics to gain what he believed was rightfully his.
• 7:15
  Daniel Moore: His third word was Jacob, and he didn't like what that meant.
• 7:20
  Daniel Moore: He wanted to be Esau, or at least have what Esau had.
• 7:25
  Daniel Moore: But he was just Jacob, and to be Jacob seemed to be second best.
• 7:32
  Daniel Moore: The dynamics of sibling rivalry, parental favoritism and the pressure to live up to his name as a supplanter all contributed to Jacob's identity issues.
• 7:42
  Daniel Moore: Throughout his life, jacob struggled with feelings of inadequacy and the desire to be recognized and valued.
• 7:51
  Daniel Moore: The most important thing to Jacob was the blessing.
• 7:53
  Daniel Moore: The importance of being the firstborn was not only about the physical act of being born first, but also about the rights and privileges that came with it, such as the birthright and the blessing.
• 8:05
  Daniel Moore: The birthright typically went to the firstborn son and included a double portion of the inheritance and a position of authority within the family.
• 8:13
  Daniel Moore: The blessing given by the father bestowed spiritual and material benefits on the recipient and was considered a significant event in a person's life.
• 8:24
  Daniel Moore: And was considered a significant event in a person's life In the case of Jacob and Esau.
• 8:34
  Daniel Moore: Esau being the firstborn meant that he was entitled to both the birthright and the blessing.
• 8:38
  Daniel Moore: However, due to their polar opposite personalities and interests, jacob and Esau were not seen as equals in the eyes of their parents.
• 8:44
  Daniel Moore: Esau was described as a skilled hunter, a man of the outdoors, while Jacob was portrayed as a tent dweller, more domestic and cunning in nature, esau he, was more of a duck dynasty guy, while Jacob was a better fit for HGTV.
• 8:58
  Daniel Moore: Isaac favored Esau, likely due to his machismo and skill as a hunter, while Rebecca favored Jacob, possibly because of his cunning nature and willingness to do what it took to succeed.
• 9:10
  Daniel Moore: This favoritism, combined with the circumstances of Esau being the firstborn and the societal importance placed on birth order, created a complex dynamic between the two brothers and their parents.
• 9:23
  Daniel Moore: It set the stage for jealousy, manipulation and, ultimately, a series of events that would shape the course of their lives and their relationship with each other.
• 9:35
  Daniel Moore: Jacob grew up in the shadow of his brother.
• 9:37
  Daniel Moore: Esau was always bigger, faster and better.
• 9:41
  Daniel Moore: The external differences only demonstrated even more that Jacob just wasn't quite enough.
• 9:47
  Daniel Moore: You know, if I'd only been born a few seconds earlier, jacob probably thought the blessing and authority would have been all mine.
• 9:57
  Daniel Moore: Interestingly, jacob's name also referred to that he was a pretender, pretending to be something or somebody to take what wasn't his.
• 10:08
  Daniel Moore: Jacob's parents couldn't have picked a better name for him.
• 10:12
  Daniel Moore: Jacob wanted Esau's position so badly that he tricked him into giving him the birthright in exchange for a bowl of soup, and we'll talk about that later in the next episode.
• 10:25
  Daniel Moore: But the biggest trick of all came later in their lives, when Isaac was about to die.
• 10:29
  Daniel Moore: Isaac, the father of Jacob and Esau, had become blind in his old age.
• 10:34
  Daniel Moore: Isaac called Esau, his older son, and asked him to go out and hunt game to prepare a meal for him.
• 10:41
  Daniel Moore: This meal was intended to be a special occasion where Isaac would give Esau's final blessing, a significant and highly valued tradition in their culture.
• 10:52
  Daniel Moore: However, rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau, overheard Isaac's instructions to Esau, knowing that Jacob, her favored son, was not the firstborn and therefore not entitled to the blessing, rebekah devised a plan to ensure that Jacob would receive the blessing instead of Esau.
• 11:12
  Daniel Moore: Rebekah instructed Jacob to bring her two young goats from the flock, which she then used to prepare a meal that mimicked the taste and feel of wild game.
• 11:20
  Daniel Moore: She also dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes and covered his hands and neck with goatskins to replicate Esau's hairy appearance.
• 11:31
  Daniel Moore: Now, before we continue to go any further with this, we have to stop and address the elephant in the room.
• 11:36
  Daniel Moore: This goes a long way toward explaining why Jacob and Esau turned out like they did, because Isaac and Rebekah played favorites.
• 11:48
  Daniel Moore: The upbringing of Jacob and Esau in an environment where they were constantly compared, contrasted and set against each other by their parents had a huge impact on their relationship and their individual development.
• 12:02
  Daniel Moore: We see how Isaac favored Esau, the rugged outdoorsman, while Rebecca favored Jacob, the more cunning and strategic twin.
• 12:08
  Daniel Moore: This favoritism and the constant comparison between the brothers created a sense of competition and inadequacy, leading to dysfunction within their family dynamic.
• 12:18
  Daniel Moore: Growing up in an environment where they were made to feel like they were not good enough or were constantly pitted against each other likely contributed to the identity issues and dysfunctional behaviors exhibited by Jacob and Esau.
• 12:33
  Daniel Moore: The lack of unconditional love and acceptance from their parents may have fueled their desire to seek validation and recognition through deceitful means, as seen in this story.
• 12:43
  Daniel Moore: Through deceitful means, as seen in this story, this narrative raises important questions about how early life experiences and parental influences can shape a person's sense of self and identity.
• 12:53
  Daniel Moore: The way children are raised and the messages they receive from their parents can have a lasting impact on their self-esteem, their behavior and relationship with others.
• 13:03
  Daniel Moore: Parents have the power to either empower their children to become their authentic selves, impact on their self-esteem, their behavior and relationship with others.
• 13:08
  Daniel Moore: Parents have the power to either empower their children to become their authentic selves or unknowingly push them towards a path of pretense and insecurity.
• 13:15
  Daniel Moore: As parents, we have an important responsibility and privilege of helping our children discover and embrace their true identities.
• 13:21
  Daniel Moore: We are entrusted with a God-given insight into who our children are meant to be, and we play a crucial role in nurturing and guiding them towards realizing their full potential.
• 13:32
  Daniel Moore: This process of identity formation is a delicate and significant journey that requires love, patience and understanding.
• 13:40
  Daniel Moore: It is not about controlling or imposing our own desires and expectations onto our children.
• 13:47
  Daniel Moore: Rather, it is about recognizing and valuing their unique qualities, talents and characteristics.
• 13:53
  Daniel Moore: Each child is an individual with their own strengths, weaknesses, passions and dreams.
• 13:59
  Daniel Moore: Our role as parents is to support and encourage them in their journey of figuring out who they are, helping them to cultivate their talents and pursue their interests.
• 14:10
  Daniel Moore: It is essential to see our children with eyes of faith, recognizing the incredible individuals they are at each stage of life.
• 14:18
  Daniel Moore: By nurturing their self-worth, their self-esteem and self-awareness, we empower them to embrace their true identities and confidently navigate the challenges and opportunities that come their way.
• 14:39
  Daniel Moore: No-transcript.
• 14:41
  Daniel Moore: But you know this isn't always easy.
• 14:42
  Daniel Moore: If your kids leave the home each weekday to go to school, you know what battles that you can face with that at any given moment.
• 14:51
  Daniel Moore: Most of us can think back to our childhood and think of times that third words were given to us, words that we believed, words that shaped who we became and how we lived from then on.
• 15:04
  Daniel Moore: Maybe we can even pinpoint when we started to feel like we weren't good enough, that we didn't measure up to the expectations and demands of those that were over us.
• 15:13
  Daniel Moore: So we started to pretend.
• 15:16
  Daniel Moore: We built facades, we concocted identities, we tried to bury the real us in order to please those of whose opinions we valued.
• 15:26
  Daniel Moore: I'm not saying that we are inevitable products of other people's definition of us.
• 15:30
  Daniel Moore: While the experiences and treatments we received in childhood may have a significant impact on our development and sense of self, ultimately we do have a choice in how we respond and who we become as adults.
• 15:43
  Daniel Moore: In how we respond and who we become as adults, it is important to recognize that holding on to grudges and resentment from past experiences does not serve us well and can hinder our personal growth and our emotional well-being.
• 15:55
  Daniel Moore: Forgiveness is a powerful tool that allows us to let go of negative emotions, release ourselves from the burdens of the past and move forward with a sense of peace and freedom.
• 16:07
  Daniel Moore: By choosing to forgive those who may have wronged us in the past, we are reclaiming our power and taking control of our own narrative.
• 16:16
  Daniel Moore: It enables us to break free from the cycles of blame and victimhood, allowing us to focus on our own self-improvement and personal growth.
• 16:26
  Daniel Moore: It is crucial to acknowledge that, while our childhood experiences may have shaped us, they do not define us.
• 16:38
  Daniel Moore: We have the responsibility to chart our own path and choose who we want to be in spite of our past.
• 16:40
  Daniel Moore: Blaming others for our actions or who we are only perpetuates a cycle of negativity and limits our potential for growth and transformation.
• 16:48
  Daniel Moore: By taking responsibility for our own choices and behaviors, we reclaim our autonomy and actively work towards becoming the best version of ourselves.
• 16:58
  Daniel Moore: So ask yourself, why am I pretending?
• 17:03
  Daniel Moore: It might be time to let go of all of that.
• 17:06
  Daniel Moore: It might be time to figure out who you really are and to value the real you as much as God does.
• 17:12
  Daniel Moore: You know, when Rebecca told Jacob her grand idea, jacob wasn't so sure, but after some thought he decided to go along with the idea.
• 17:23
  Daniel Moore: And you know, in the past I've felt sorry for Jacob.
• 17:26
  Daniel Moore: You know his mom talked him into scamming his big brother, and then he paid the consequences for it.
• 17:32
  Daniel Moore: Well, we have to remember, though, as we study the context of this story, jacob was 76 years old at the time.
• 17:40
  Daniel Moore: This happened At 76, it's a little hard to blame your mom, buddy.
• 17:45
  Daniel Moore: At some time we have to take responsibility for the choices in our life.
• 17:51
  Daniel Moore: Genesis 27 describes how Rebekah and Jacob devised a plan to trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing meant for Esau.
• 17:58
  Daniel Moore: Rebekah knew that Isaac was blind and nearing death, so she instructed Jacob to bring her two young goats so she could prepare a dish for Isaac.
• 18:07
  Daniel Moore: She then dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes and covered his hands and neck with goat skins to resemble Esau's hairy body.
• 18:13
  Daniel Moore: When Jacob presented himself to Isaac as Esau, isaac was suspicious at first, questioning how he had returned so quickly from hunting, first questioning how he had returned so quickly from hunting.
• 18:29
  Daniel Moore: However, jacob insisted that God had granted him success and Isaac eventually believed him and proceeded to give him the blessing.
• 18:33
  Daniel Moore: Well, just as Jacob received the blessing, esau returned from hunting and realized what had happened.
• 18:40
  Daniel Moore: He was filled with anger and threatened to kill Jacob.
• 18:44
  Daniel Moore: Once their father had died, fearing for his life, jacob fled from his home and spent the next 21 years in exile as a fugitive from his family and country.
• 18:56
  Daniel Moore: That was some blessing, huh, but these are the consequences of trying to manipulate or deceive in order to receive blessings that are not meant for us.
• 19:06
  Daniel Moore: God cannot bless who you pretend to be.
• 19:11
  Daniel Moore: Jacob's actions show how deceit and cunning may bring temporary gain but ultimately lead to unforeseen and undesirable outcomes.
• 19:20
  Daniel Moore: In the case of Jacob, his scheming led to material blessings from Isaac, but it came with extra baggage.
• 19:27
  Daniel Moore: It also resulted in him being separated from his family and living in fear for his life.
• 19:33
  Daniel Moore: Although he may have achieved his immediate goal.
• 19:37
  Daniel Moore: The price he paid was loneliness, fear and the loss of family relationships.
• 19:43
  Daniel Moore: So the plan did work, as he had hoped, but did it satisfy him like he thought it would?
• 19:52
  Daniel Moore: Hundreds of years later, solomon wrote Proverbs 10.22.
• 19:55
  Daniel Moore: It states the blessing of the Lord makes rich and he adds no sorrow with it.
• 20:02
  Daniel Moore: In other words, when God bestows blessings upon us, he also provides us with the ability to truly enjoy and appreciate those blessings.
• 20:11
  Daniel Moore: The key lies in receiving blessings from the Lord in his way and in his timing.
• 20:16
  Daniel Moore: In the story of Jacob and Esau, jacob received the blessing through deceit and manipulation.
• 20:23
  Daniel Moore: This temporary gain came with negative consequences, leading to fear and exile.
• 20:28
  Daniel Moore: However, once Jacob embraced his true identity and received God's blessings in the right way, he was able to find true fulfillment and satisfaction.
• 20:39
  Daniel Moore: Similarly, when we try to be someone other than who we are meant to be, we may attain blessings through our own efforts, but they may not bring lasting joy or satisfaction.
• 20:50
  Daniel Moore: On the other hand, when we seek God's blessings and align ourselves with His will, we are able to fully enjoy and appreciate the blessings that he bestows upon us.
• 21:00
  Daniel Moore: These blessings are accompanied by a sense of peace and contentment that surpasses any temporary worldly gain.
• 21:08
  Daniel Moore: Just like Jacob eventually realized the importance of receiving blessings from God in the proper manner, we too can find true happiness and fulfillment when we trust in God's plan for us and allow Him to bless us in His way and in His time.
• 21:24
  Daniel Moore: We're going to take a break here for a moment.
• 21:27
  Daniel Moore: When we come back, we're going to continue and finish up this week's episode here on Connecting the Gap, and we'll be back right after this.
• 21:44
  chataboutjesus.com: Are you harming yourself by cutting, burning or in some other way?
• 21:47
  chataboutjesus.com: This is an outward expression of all the pain you are carrying inside.
• 21:52
  chataboutjesus.com: God understands why you do it.
• 21:54
  chataboutjesus.com: He sees the turmoil and shame inside of us.
• 21:57
  chataboutjesus.com: Maybe you are harming yourself because you think that you're hopelessly bad, you're filled with guilt and you're losing control.
• 22:04
  chataboutjesus.com: There is good news for you.
• 22:06
  chataboutjesus.com: Jesus died on the cross, cut and bleeding, and took all the punishment that you deserve upon Himself.
• 22:12
  chataboutjesus.com: He paid the penalty for all of your disobedience, mistakes and hurtful deeds.
• 22:16
  chataboutjesus.com: He calls these things sin.
• 22:18
  chataboutjesus.com: Not only did Jesus die for your sins, but he rose from the dead and offers you new life and forgiveness from all your wrong actions.
• 22:27
  chataboutjesus.com: You can begin a relationship with Him and find forgiveness from all your guilt.
• 22:31
  chataboutjesus.com: Talk to someone about receiving forgiveness and beginning a relationship with Jesus by calling 888-NEED-HIM or chatting with us at wwwchataboutjesuscom.
• 22:42
  chataboutjesus.com: Welcome back to this week's episode of Connecting the Gap.
• 22:51
  Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, your host.
• 22:53
  Daniel Moore: Thank you for joining us.
• 22:55
  Daniel Moore: Hope you've enjoyed the first half of this week's episode of Connecting the Gap.
• 23:04
  Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, your host.
• 23:05
  Daniel Moore: Thank you for joining us.
• 23:06
  Daniel Moore: Hope you've enjoyed the first half of this week's episode.
• 23:10
  Daniel Moore: We're going to now continue with the second, final half this week Three different me's.
• 23:18
  Daniel Moore: You know, at one point or another we have all worn the costume.
• 23:21
  Daniel Moore: We've talked and acted like truck drivers while riding our bike or had the Karate Kid Championship fights with our invisible opponents, knowing deep down that it wasn't real.
• 23:32
  Daniel Moore: Then we wonder why life feels so empty, why things never change and why we're disappointed in ourselves at the deepest level.
• 23:40
  Daniel Moore: You know, personally, for myself, part of the problem I have is the fact that there are at least three versions of me.
• 23:48
  Daniel Moore: The first me is the one I currently am.
• 23:51
  Daniel Moore: You know this guy.
• 23:53
  Daniel Moore: He has a positive side to him, but sometimes he can be inconsistent, boring, full of weaknesses and issues, and can sometimes be disappointing.
• 24:02
  Daniel Moore: I call him frustrating Daniel.
• 24:05
  Daniel Moore: Then there's this me that I wish I could be.
• 24:09
  Daniel Moore: This guy I think about is the opposite of frustrating Daniel.
• 24:13
  Daniel Moore: I call him future Daniel.
• 24:15
  Daniel Moore: You know this guy.
• 24:17
  Daniel Moore: He's absolutely perfect.
• 24:19
  Daniel Moore: He has an eight-pack but can eat an occasional donut.
• 24:22
  Daniel Moore: He is easygoing and always says the right things, filled with wisdom.
• 24:27
  Daniel Moore: He's the guy you would want to marry or even vote in for president.
• 24:31
  Daniel Moore: He's disciplined but not overbearing.
• 24:33
  Daniel Moore: He loves to have fun but at the same time can multitask and get everything done.
• 24:39
  Daniel Moore: He's people-oriented and every worker's dream boss.
• 24:43
  Daniel Moore: This guy is a specimen.
• 24:46
  Daniel Moore: Future Daniel is the me that I want to be, but it's also the me I know I will never accomplish or fully become.
• 24:55
  Daniel Moore: So in my desperate attempt to bridge the gap between the frustrating and the future me, I create another me, and the future me I create another me.
• 25:05
  Daniel Moore: Fake Daniel.
• 25:09
  Daniel Moore: You know, maybe I can't pull off the future Daniel, but I can sure fake him.
• 25:13
  Daniel Moore: I can pretend I can act like someone I'm not, because I don't think the real me is anywhere good enough.
• 25:18
  Daniel Moore: It can be tempting to portray a version of ourselves that we believe is more desirable or acceptable than who we truly are, of ourselves that we believe is more desirable or acceptable than who we truly are.
• 25:28
  Daniel Moore: This facade can become so ingrained that we convince ourselves and others that this false persona is who we authentically are.
• 25:33
  Daniel Moore: We may put on a show for others, hiding our vulnerabilities and shortcomings in an attempt to appear flawless and put together this quote-unquote fake version of ourselves.
• 25:44
  Daniel Moore: May seem convincing on the surface, but deep down we know that it is not the real us.
• 25:50
  Daniel Moore: We may feel a sense of unease, fearing that others can see through our facade.
• 25:55
  Daniel Moore: Yet we continue to perpetuate this image because we doubt that our true selves are worthy or acceptable.
• 26:03
  Daniel Moore: In our pursuit of perfection and the illusion of having it all together, we may engage in behaviors that further distance us from our genuine selves.
• 26:11
  Daniel Moore: We may prioritize maintaining appearances, even at the expense of our authenticity and integrity.
• 26:18
  Daniel Moore: We may avoid asking questions or seeking help out of the fear of being perceived as inadequate or stupid.
• 26:25
  Daniel Moore: This cycle of pretending and concealing our imperfections can be exhausting and isolating.
• 26:31
  Daniel Moore: It prevents us from connecting authentically with others and hinders our personal growth and self-acceptance.
• 26:40
  Daniel Moore: Instead of embracing our flaws and vulnerabilities, we airbrush our images and Photoshop our failings and strive to present an idealized version of ourselves to the world, hoping to fool people into believing we are as perfect as they are.
• 26:54
  Daniel Moore: But we aren't and neither are they, because no one is perfect.
• 27:02
  Daniel Moore: We aren't photos frozen in the fleeting moment of perfection for all to admire.
• 27:07
  Daniel Moore: We can't stage and light and crop and filter who we are.
• 27:12
  Daniel Moore: Our lives are much more like an unedited movie and our outtakes are enormous because we have no idea what we are doing much of the time.
• 27:22
  Daniel Moore: We are all filling our way through life one mistake and one victory at a time.
• 27:28
  Daniel Moore: You know we need to cut ourselves and each other some slack.
• 27:34
  Daniel Moore: God's love is unconditional and extends to our true, authentic selves, not the false personas that we create or the idealized versions of who we hope to become in the future.
• 27:44
  Daniel Moore: He sees and loves us in our rawest and most frustrating state, knowing our flaws and weaknesses, yet still embracing us with boundless love and grace.
• 27:54
  Daniel Moore: When we attempt to present a fake version of ourselves or strive to be someone we are not.
• 28:01
  Daniel Moore: When we attempt to present a fake version of ourselves or strive to be someone we are not, god cannot bless this fabricated identity.
• 28:08
  Daniel Moore: He sees through the disguises we wear and yearns for us to come before Him as our genuine selves, vulnerabilities and all.
• 28:16
  Daniel Moore: It is in embracing our true selves, the imperfect and frustrating versions of who we are, that God can work in and through us the best.
• 28:23
  Daniel Moore: He can transform us beyond our wildest dreams and mold us into the individuals we were always meant to be.
• 28:29
  Daniel Moore: But this transformation can only occur when we are willing to be honest and authentic with ourselves and with God, like Jacob who disguised himself as Esau to receive blessings, we may construct elaborate masks and alternate identities in an attempt to fit in or achieve acceptance.
• 28:49
  Daniel Moore: Yet even if we succeed in gaining approval for our false selves, we will ultimately find that this acceptance leaves us feeling hollow and unsatisfied.
• 28:58
  Daniel Moore: Some young women share photos on Snapchat that they regret taking in order to keep the attention of partners they shouldn't have been with in the first place.
• 29:08
  Daniel Moore: Similarly, there are wives who strive to embody both Martha Stewart and Beyonce, excelling as spouses and mothers, but constantly feeling like failures due to unrealistic standards.
• 29:21
  Daniel Moore: Spouses and mothers, but constantly feeling like failures due to unrealistic standards.
• 29:23
  Daniel Moore: Additionally, some husbands overwork themselves and accumulate debt, leading to anxiety disorders from the pressure to provide.
• 29:31
  Daniel Moore: This type of stress and pretense is not in line with God's intentions, as he loves us for who we truly are.
• 29:42
  Daniel Moore: Pretending to be someone we're not may deceive others, but it ultimately does not fool God or us.
• 29:46
  Daniel Moore: It is futile to maintain a facade when God cherishes our authentic selves.
• 29:51
  Daniel Moore: God is in love with the real you.
• 29:54
  Daniel Moore: That's why pretending is so pointless.
• 29:57
  Daniel Moore: It is empowering to embrace who we really are, even when our third words look something like this I am terrified, I am hurting, I am lost, I am insecure, I am weak, I am a failure.
• 30:14
  Daniel Moore: God's blessing is found in our transparency and honesty.
• 30:19
  Daniel Moore: He can't change or redeem our third words if we never admit to them.
• 30:24
  Daniel Moore: God wants to bless the real you with your weaknesses and your problems and your messes.
• 30:31
  Daniel Moore: The real you isn't perfect, but that's where the blessing is found.
• 30:36
  Daniel Moore: That's where God's grace is greatest and his strength is strongest.
• 30:41
  Daniel Moore: Genesis 32 tells the story of Jacob, who ended up spending 21 years with Laban, a man more deceitful than Jacob himself.
• 30:50
  Daniel Moore: Eventually, jacob decided to face his past and return home.
• 30:54
  Daniel Moore: Along the way, he had an encounter with God and consequently had to confront his own true self, which was a frightening experience due to his history of pretense and deception.
• 31:04
  Daniel Moore: The night before facing his estranged brother Esau, jacob found himself alone in camp, having sent his family ahead for safety.
• 31:13
  Daniel Moore: Unexpectedly, a stranger appeared and engaged in a wrestling match with Jacob.
• 31:19
  Daniel Moore: Stranger appeared and engaged in a wrestling match with Jacob.
• 31:24
  Daniel Moore: That was odd, but even odder was the fact that the man turned out to be God.
• 31:27
  Daniel Moore: Many scholars believe it was actually Jesus in pre-incarnate form.
• 31:31
  Daniel Moore: In this intense wrestling match between Jacob and the unknown man, jacob refused to release his grip, even as the man dislocated his hip.
• 31:39
  Daniel Moore: Despite not knowing the identity of his opponent, jacob understood the encounter to be of great significance.
• 31:46
  Daniel Moore: The man who had spent his life scheming and grasping was now being held fast and something significant was gripping Jacob in return.
• 31:56
  Daniel Moore: In the midst of this struggle, jacob's determination remained steadfast, echoing the same resolute spirit he exhibited from birth.
• 32:06
  Daniel Moore: In a pivotal moment, jacob demanded a blessing from the man, declaring that he would not let go until he received it.
• 32:14
  Daniel Moore: This unwavering resolve, honed over 97 years, was now directed towards wrestling for a divine blessing.
• 32:22
  Daniel Moore: In this moment, jacob recognized that he was contending with a being who held the power to bestow true blessings upon him.
• 32:31
  Daniel Moore: Then, out of nowhere, the man asked Jacob what is your name?
• 32:36
  Daniel Moore: You know, if I were Jacob, I would have been thinking this is a fine time to be asking that.
• 32:43
  Daniel Moore: We've been fighting all night and you've dislocated my hip and you're interested in knowing me on a first-name basis.
• 32:49
  Daniel Moore: You know, that question seemed a little random until you remember back when Jacob was asked this question once before.
• 32:57
  Daniel Moore: 21 years earlier, when he went to steal the blessing from Esau, isaac had asked him who are you?
• 33:05
  Daniel Moore: At the time, the question was asked by Isaac.
• 33:08
  Daniel Moore: Jacob's answer was I am Esau.
• 33:11
  Daniel Moore: Years ago he fooled his father into giving him the blessing as Esau, but now it was time to be blessed by God with the real blessing as himself.
• 33:22
  Daniel Moore: That blessing could only come to Jacob by admitting who he really was.
• 33:27
  Daniel Moore: I am Jacob.
• 33:30
  Daniel Moore: Yes, that is my third word.
• 33:33
  Daniel Moore: I am the pretender, the hill grabber, the faker, the liar.
• 33:38
  Daniel Moore: I am Jacob.
• 33:41
  Daniel Moore: At this moment, the climactic conclusion had come of decades of deceit and pretending.
• 33:46
  Daniel Moore: Jacob finally realized who he truly was as he held on to God for dear life, and the scriptures record the result In Genesis 32, 28, and 29,.
• 33:58
  Daniel Moore: After Jacob wrestled with the man all night and refused to let go until he received a blessing, god changed his name to Israel.
• 34:05
  Daniel Moore: This act signified a significant transformation in Jacob's identity.
• 34:10
  Daniel Moore: The name Israel means triumphant with God, symbolizing a new, elevated status compared to his previous names, which denoted deceitful behavior.
• 34:22
  Daniel Moore: This renaming represented God's revelation of Jacob's true purpose and destiny.
• 34:29
  Daniel Moore: Through this encounter, god showed Jacob who he was truly meant to be all along someone victorious and aligned with God, despite still retaining his flaws and weaknesses.
• 34:41
  Daniel Moore: In God, jacob found strength and purpose.
• 34:45
  Daniel Moore: The name change to Israel signified a new chapter in Jacob's life where his identity was rooted in his relationship with God.
• 34:53
  Daniel Moore: By embracing his new name, jacob accepted his true self as defined by God's vision for him.
• 35:00
  Daniel Moore: Jacob accepted his true self as defined by God's vision for him.
• 35:05
  Daniel Moore: In this way, jacob received his ultimate blessing a deeper understanding of his identity and a renewed sense of purpose aligned with God's plan for his life.
• 35:11
  Daniel Moore: When did God bless him?
• 35:14
  Daniel Moore: When he owned his third word I am Jacob.
• 35:19
  Daniel Moore: Are you in a wrestling match right now with your own insecurities and failures?
• 35:24
  Daniel Moore: If you are, remember that is the perfect ground for you to meet God and allow him to show you who you really are and to remind you of who he really is.
• 35:35
  Daniel Moore: He will bless you there in that place when you say your real name.
• 35:42
  Daniel Moore: When Jacob headed back to meet his brother Esau, jacob thought he was going to make peace with his brother.
• 35:51
  Daniel Moore: In all reality, god brought him to that stream that night to make peace with himself.
• 35:55
  Daniel Moore: In Genesis 33-4,.
• 35:56
  Daniel Moore: After years of separation and fear of retribution from his brother Esau, jacob approached Esau with many elaborate gifts in an attempt to win his forgiveness.
• 36:08
  Daniel Moore: However, when Jacob finally came face to face with Esau, it became clear that all the extravagant gifts were unnecessary.
• 36:16
  Daniel Moore: Esau, instead of seeking revenge or harboring resentment, ran to meet Jacob, embraced him and wept.
• 36:23
  Daniel Moore: This beautiful display of reconciliation and forgiveness was a testament to the transformative power of forgiveness and the healing nature of genuine reconciliation between estranged siblings.
• 36:36
  Daniel Moore: It showed that sometimes, acts of true repentance and humility can pave the way for forgiveness and reconciliation, rendering material gestures or gifts unnecessary in the face of genuine reconciling.
• 36:51
  Daniel Moore: Standing face to face with the man he had spent his whole life struggling with, jacob realized something that I am coming to understand more and more.
• 37:01
  Daniel Moore: Jacob realized something that I am coming to understand more and more the only real battle I must win is the one within.
• 37:07
  Daniel Moore: The battle is not with Esau, the supposed enemy.
• 37:10
  Daniel Moore: The battle is my enemy, no matter what circumstances have brought you to this point in your journey.
• 37:17
  Daniel Moore: God wants to meet you there and give you your blessing.
• 37:20
  Daniel Moore: He desires to give you a new name, a new identity and a new view of yourself as the new day dawns.
• 37:33
  Daniel Moore: Well, that's going to finish up this week's episode of Connecting the Gap.
• 37:37
  Daniel Moore: This has been episode nine.
• 37:40
  Daniel Moore: Next week, we'll come back with our next installment of our series on feeling unqualified.
• 37:42
  Daniel Moore: I'm Daniel Moore, the host for this podcast, and thank you guys for listening.
• 37:46
  Daniel Moore: This show really wouldn't be possible without you.
• 37:49
  Daniel Moore: If you're a fan of the show, or if you've been listening here for a little bit and you're becoming a fan of the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and, for sure, please subscribe to us on your favorite platform.
• 38:00
  Daniel Moore: The links are in the show notes.
• 38:02
  Daniel Moore: Well, that's all for this week, and as we leave, I always want to remind you that we believe that God's word never fails us.
• 38:09
  Daniel Moore: God's word has stood the test of time and, through Jesus' death on the cross, he has connected the gap.
• 38:16
  Aria: You've been listening to Connecting the Gap podcast.
• 38:18
  Aria: In this world, there are many disconnects that cause chaos in our lives.
• 38:21
  Aria: This podcast is birthed from the desire to share hope and restoration of the power of the gospel by being transparent and open in our biblical walk with God.
• 38:29
  Aria: Each week, we take a few moments as we navigate God's Word and peer into other people's testimonies and encourage each other to connect the gap.
• 38:36
  Aria: We upload a new audio podcast every Thursday and a video version of it on YouTube and Rumble.
• 38:41
  Aria: We are also on the Christian podcasting app Edify.
• 38:44
  Aria: You can subscribe to our podcast on many of the available podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcast, spotify, amazon Music, iheart Radio, tunein Radio and more.
• 38:54
  Aria: We are also available on your Alexa-enabled devices.
• 38:57
  Aria: If you would like to contact our ministry for any reason, visit our contact page and send us a message.
• 39:02
  Aria: We hope you are blessed by this ministry.
• 39:04
  Aria: This is a production of Connecting the Gap Ministries.