I’m not clever enough, successful enough, pretty enough, popular enough.
It is probably fair to say that at some point in their lives everyone has struggled with their ‘identity’ and the insecurities that the question ‘who am I?’ brings. We find ourselves comparing ourselves to our friends, families, colleagues and celebrities.
To know your identity you have to look up, don’t compare yourself or compete with others, don’t even look within – always look up. When you understand who Jesus is that is when you understand who you are.
The love of God is more than something that is true and more than something that we can experience – it defines our identity.
We are not defined by our
- Past
- Personality type
- Friends or family
- Profession
- Sexuality
Being loved by God – that is who we are at our very core
God sometimes challenges things in our lives that we have decided are going to define us but this is only so we know that we are deeply loved. In God’s eyes we are perfect as we are and he has chosen to put his treasure in you and me – every day containers! We are his vessels.
But we have this great treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and now from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
We need to make our lives more about his treasure.
We shouldn’t try and make our container stronger or better or constantly trying to improve it.
Our container has to be able to do a job; the good news of grace has to shine from your heart through your life. It’s not about how strong you are, it is about how you deal with fragility and goodness. In Christ we are given the freedom to fail, to be broken.
So we shouldn’t worry so much when the container cracks because the more cracks there are the more the treasure shines through. Strength flows through our weakness; the imperfections allow the treasure to flow through.
The more you break the more of God’s power will be released in your life.
When we pray for stability and security we are really praying that we will need God less because when everything feels stable and secure in our lives we feel like we don’t need to rely on him.
We need to break our container; this could be by giving financially beyond ability, confessing a sin, being part of a church plant. Going on the World Race will break my container, it will take me out of my comfort zone, push me to my limits and make me reach out to God more.
We are designed to be needy. God doesn’t need us, we need him.
Mother Teresa never worked for more than 30 minutes without praying – she relied on God wholeheartedly.
I really want to live a life where it matters if I pray in the morning. Where instead of praying for security and stability I pray for God to present me with situations that will break me and allow for his love to shine through.
