While in Guatemala, Amanda, one of our squad leaders, gave a talk on identity to our squad. When she told us the topic, I was excited because this has been something I have not fully understood. I have asked myself these questions of, “Who am I?” “What IS my identity?”
I think the topic of identity isn’t brought up enough in the church. This is the heart of the issue in our Christian walk. Everything stems from this question of “Who am I?” I think many Christians still try to work for the approval of God rather than resting in the assurance that no matter what I do, there is nothing I can do to make God love me more or less! I say this because I was one of those Christians. Even though I had much biblical knowledge of God, I still had the hardest time answering the question of who I was. Yes, I love God and I know that His love flows through me. But sometimes I feel that I have to prove myself to Him. I have come from a performance based society. Where results are what matter. I strived for straight A’s in college and that’s what I got. I stressed myself out so much over grades and having the best GPA in-order to go on to graduate school, that this type of mentality has carried over into my faith walk without really realizing it. I struggled with believing the lie that I had to strive for God’s approval and had to be “perfect” in-order to hear His voice. Well, let me tell you! That is a lie straight from the devil himself.
We are son’s and daughter’s of the Most High God; co-heirs with Christ, chosen and beloved! God delights in His children. He says we are worthy of his love. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” My sins are forgiven and the issue of my worthiness was settled on that day when Jesus willingly gave His life to rectify me to my Father. I encourage you to read the scriptures and literally circle the verses about who God says you are! Also, I recommend the book Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship. It talks about claiming your identity in Christ. I haven’t finished it, but it’s really good so far. 🙂
I still struggle with my identity, but God is always faithful to remind me of it. I urge you, my friends, to seriously look into your identity and establish where it lies. If we are able to answer this question for ourselves, I know it will radically change our faith walk. No longer will we work out of a place of trying to prove ourselves to man or to God, but we will work out of a place of love; a love for our Father that comes from being secure in our identity in Him. No longer will the worries of what people think of us matter, because the only opinion that matters is God’s. Our identity needs to be firmly founded in Christ and nothing else.
I also encourage you to be vulnerable with trusted people in your life regarding challenges, struggles, and celebrations in your faith walk. Through vulnerability comes security. And sharing with trusted people the real things going on in your life brings freedom! Freedom from the bondage that Satan has put around you. Remember friends that,”…there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..”Romans 8:1. Also, “.. everything exposed by the light becomes visible- and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.”-Ephesians 5:13.
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I want to say thank you to my family and friends for providing the way for me to come on the World Race. If I hadn’t come on the World Race, I don’t think this process of finding my identity would have happened at this point in my life. I am forever grateful that I am figuring it out now. Thank you for allowing it to happen! 🙂
