identity (noun)
the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is
Who am I?
That should be an easy question to answer, right?
I’m a daughter of the Lord, of course.
Sometimes it takes being about 6 months and 9000 miles away from all the comforts and crutches of home to see where our identity has been placed…or perhaps, misplaced.
misplaced (adjective)
incorrectly positioned
It’s scary what the Enemy can convince us of sometimes.
For me, I’ve always known who I was. I know that my value is in the Lord. Only His opinion matters when push comes to shove. I know I’m worth fighting for and worth waiting for.
I’ve known it for my whole life. And I thought I believed it.
God reveals a lot when you’re having an emotional breakdown, but you’re not home where you can run to the usual “Escape Emotions” distractions.
I’m not in school to impress my teachers or my classmates with my GPA anymore.
No affirmation there.
Who am I without my grades?
I don’t have my job anymore to get complimented on my service in the drive thru or make the best ice cream cone to impress my boss or the guests anymore.
No affirmation there.
Who am I without my good work ethic?!
I don’t have any guys texting me to make sure I feel like I’m good enough for someone to be interested in anymore.
Still no affirmation.
Who am I without having any guys to remind me that I’m beautiful?!
It breaks my heart. That’s not really who I am, but I find myself craving affirmation that isn’t from the Lord.
I didn’t want to share this, because it’s a flaw. It’s a struggle.
But it’s a struggle that I believe so many Christians battle everyday.
We were in church in Myanmar, and while the church sang in Burmese, I was following along with the English lyrics:
“Jesus, you alone are worthy”
He did everything. He paid the ultimate price for our sins.
How can I sit here and not believe that my identity in Jesus is not enough?
Affirmation from grades alone is not worthy.
Affirmation from work alone is not worthy.
Affirmation from guys alone is not worthy.
God didn’t create any of these worldly things for us to find our identity in. They will never satisfy us.
He sent us something so much greater. And so much more relatable.
He sent His Son.
Jesus ALONE is worthy.
And praise the Lord for that, because I would never be satisfied without Him.
These are just a few things that I ran to to find my identity in, there are plenty more. But none of them were ever enough and never will be enough. I was putting expectations on myself and on others that were never meant to be there. Expectations that would/could never be met.
This is something that God has been working in my heart for the past 6 months, and I am so excited to see how He takes my identity and places it back where it belongs.
I pray that this reaches someone who can relate. I pray that as you read this, the Lord is reminding you of who you are in Him. If the Enemy has taken your identity and misplaced it, I pray that you will tell him where it belongs and return it to its rightful position: in the Lord.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1-4
