You can’t be on the World Race, among community 24-7, in stretching living circumstances, away from what is familiar and comfortable, and surrounded by new family and relational dynamics without tapping into your “stuff”. This week I have become very aware of the things that are triggering me relative to the areas that I struggle with – value and identity.
Can anyone relate with those two?! Am I STILL working through these things, Lord?…sigh… :0)
This week I had the opportunity to articulate, confess, and process some of the “stuff” out loud with my squad leader and it was good…Good to take an honest look at myself, good to cry, good to be heard, good to get things that I’ve been holding in – out, and good to be sharpened and challenged. Thanks Megan!
I am reminded that my identity and value are rooted in being a daughter of God…not in my role, title or status, not in what I do or accomplish, not in the relationships I build, and not in how others view me or respond to me. My identity and value cannot be earned by me or ascribed to me by anyone other than my Creator…and he has already done that! My identity and value were established from the beginning because I am a loved child of God who is made in his image…and he didn’t make a mistake in making me the way that he did.
The same night that I got to talk with my squad leader about these things, I led the nightly devotional for the kids here at the orphanage. I shared with them the story of Jerub-baal to whom God ascribed “mighty warrior” status by re-naming him Gideon. Gideon’s identity and “new name” was given to him by God before he accomplished anything or won any battles and while he still said of himself, “I am the least in my entire family!” Gideon’s identity of “mighty warrior” was given by God, not based on anything else…and even though God allowed Gideon and his Israelite warriors to fight and conquer the Midianites who were oppressing them, God made sure that Gideon knew where the victory came from. The victory was not due to Gideon’s skill…it was because of God’s strength and provision through him that the battle was won. When Gideon won the battle his value did not change…it was already established by God who simply allowed Gideon to step into and embrace the identity that was already his. If you haven’t already, read Judges 6-7 for the whole story! It’s a great one!
I hope you are encouraged, challenged, and reminded of your own identity and value in Christ…we can all use a reminder to stop striving, laboring and orchestrating – and to just be still and rest in our identity as beloved children of the most high God!
Love, Ate Charlene
P.S. You are not going crazy…the picture above in no way relates to this blog…just a picture of Rebecca and me showing a painting job well done! :0)
