Rooted in the Word: Biblical LiteracySample

When I was a kid, I wanted to try out for the basketball team. I loved the game and dreamed of being part of the team. But one day, a student who was already on the team told me I wasn’t welcome in their crew. He made it clear that I didn’t belong. That one moment stuck with me, and instead of pushing past it, I accepted the lie that I wasn’t good enough. I let someone else’s words define me, and as a result, I never even tried out for the team.

Looking back, I realize I let a false story shape my decisions. I believed I wasn’t worthy, that I didn’t belong, and that I wasn’t capable. But that wasn’t the truth—just a lie that I had allowed to take root.

Many of us do the same thing in different areas of life. We accept stories of failure, rejection, or insecurity and let them hold us back. But the good news is that God invites us into His story—a story of redemption, love, and purpose. He doesn’t see us through the lens of our past mistakes or what others have said about us. Instead, He calls us His own and welcomes us into something greater than we could imagine.

The Bible is full of examples of people who thought they weren’t enough, yet God used them for incredible purposes. Moses doubted his ability to lead. Gideon questioned his worth. Peter denied Jesus. But in every case, God rewrote their stories with His grace and power.

Maybe you’ve believed a lie about yourself—that you’re not capable, not loved, or not worthy of God’s purpose. But Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that God’s Word always accomplishes what He intends. His truth overcomes every lie. When we surrender our little story to Him, we step into His greater purpose—one that will never fail.

Reflection Questions:

1. What lies have you believed about yourself that have held you back?

2. How does God’s Word challenge those false beliefs?

3. What step can you take today to trust God’s story for your life instead of the world’s?