I believe one thing Christians struggle with is what they root their identity in. Whether it’s in their town, communities, family, hobbies, jobs, spiritual gifts, etc. None of those are even usually bad things, but rooting who you are in them is an unhealthy mindset. Something the Lord has been teaching me is to find my identity in Christ. Now what does that even mean? To be honest, I’m still figuring that out. And I think most people have to continuously reevaluate their identities because of our imperfectness. But finding your identity in Christ, to me, means that you:
- Know God’s unfailing love for you. And I know most of us know that He loves us, but I mean truly understand and learn His love for us as a whole and individually.
- Truly accept His offer to be His best friend!! When we accept Him into our hearts, that’s incredible, but it’s also important to continue to constantly build that relationship. And I’ve learned it’s like any other relationship, it starts small. Of course He’s loved us fully from the beginning, but we have to learn to love Him fully back. Building it from a friendship, to a best friend, to a Father takes time and effort. You have to continuously talk to Him and get to know Him by prayer and His word. But boy, is it worth it. It’s not the type of effort that makes us tired, but it brings fruit of the Spirirt and so so SO much joy! So much freedom!
While spending now 3 months completely out of my comfort zone, and away from my home and family, I’ve been learning this and starting to truly question what is home to me. We talk about homesickness, but what does that mean? Do you miss family? the physical house? friends? food? comforts? I feel like these are just a bunch of “homes” that we end up finding our identities in. I can definitely see how I used to find identities in my hometown, family, friends, school, etc. And it’s totally okay to miss these things, but you have to make sure you’re present where you are through that. That’s why I believe it’s so important to find your identity, “a home,” in Christ because He will be able to fully flow through you and in everything you do. And if you find your home in your friends & family, you truly have brothers and sisters in Christ all around you that need your love too. So since Christ is with us always, and He’s our home, we can easily be present and full of love wherever we are.
During this Christmastime, it’s hard because we like to share our traditions, but that also makes me miss home even more. But through that I tell myself that this is only one year of my life dedicated fully to the furthering the Lord’s kingdom, and I knew what I was signing up for to come here. So I will continue to enjoy the amazing time I have here in India and pour love on these awesome people. I have already grown so much and I’m only on month 4, so I cannot wait to see myself by month 9. Life is just so great right now and it’s because my life has changed dramatically because of the race. I feel like everyone needs to do something like this for a year or more of their life. I’ve learned so much about things I need to do at home from this trip & the ministry here. I’ve learned so many things that I could’ve been saying to people, and that people need Jesus in America, just as much as people outside our country. Finding your identity in Christ isn’t easy and probably will make you sacrifice things you’d never want to let go of, but the reward is great and worth while.
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So wow!! I’m in my month 4. so crazy. doesnt seem real. God’s good.
I really need your help!!! I have 3 more weeks to raise $4,000. It’s so hard to be sitting here in India saying this because there’s nothing I can physically do to earn this money. But I’m hoping, with your guys’ support, I can get it there. I just need intentional prayer on this. See how God wants you to support me this month, whether that be prayer, donating, or even just getting my name out there to people you know! Anything will help, and I know the Lord’s got me. Thank you so much for all your support. Much love.
