I am Miley Cyrus. · August 27, 2013

I am Miley Cyrus.

At one time in my life, I was a girl who just wanted to be seen as a woman.

At times, I have acted certain ways because I longed for the approval of certain people.

At others, I have deliberately acted differently that how someone wanted me to act because I was determined to be an individual.

I have been manipulated by the praise and affirmation of people as easily as I've been wounded by their criticism and critique.

I have allowed the culture to define for me what it means to be a woman and to be desirable.

I have believed the lie that beauty on the outside means someone has more value or is more worthy of my attention.

I have acted without thinking about the consequences of my actions or considering the people who will be affected by them.

I have crossed lines in the name of blazing my own trail and finding myself.

I have been willing to compromise my character to get something I want.

I have celebrated my rebellion and laughed off my stubbornness.

I have wasted, squandered, and exploited gifts and opportunities that have been given to me.

I have acted entitled to things I did not earn and did not deserve.

And often, I have looked down on others who have done these things, as if I myself have not been guilty of the exact same things.

At times, I have been the good girl, and at others, the bad girl.

But at all times, I have been the girl who needs Someone to accept me-- not because of who I am but because of who He is.

I need to be loved with a love that does not depend on my behavior or my appropriateness or my lovability.

I need a Savior who was willing to be crushed not just for my bad behavior but also for my haughty self-righteousness.

I need a Friend who is willing to forgive me, despite the fact that I repeat my offenses on a daily basis.

I need a Father who will guide me, because left to my own demise, I repeatedly choose a way that leads to death. 

I need a King who is good and fair and wise to invade my life, conquer my strong will, and overthrow the inept ruler I find myself to be.

I need a God who will accept me and Miley as we are.  But not leave us there.

I need Hope.

I need Jesus.  Every day.  Every moment.

My God, my God, why has Thou accepted me?

It is the mystery of mercy,

and the song I sing.