Identity. It’s one of those words and conversation topics that we all want to avoid. It’s a word, that until recently, I thought I had figured out. A word that had an easy answer- “My name is Lauren Anne Stephens and I am a daughter of Christ.” Period. That’s my identity. But saying it and believing it are two completely different things.
That answer is textbook. Jesus is my identity. He became my identity the moment that I died to myself, the moment I chose eternal life with my Father. Yes, I knew that. But I realized that it was just something that I said- it wasn’t something that I lived out. I had convinced myself that I was living a daughter lifestyle, when in reality I still had an orphaned heart. I never let myself fully jump into the Father’s embrace, knowing what it felt like to be touched but never held. Making decisions with Christ in mind, but without His voice influencing every step. Living a half-in, half-out kind of life because I was not allowing myself to be a daughter— to be HIS daughter.
Two days before we left Africa, I was sitting down journaling and out of no where the Lord had me write the words, “Ask ME who I say you are. Who you are in ME.” I was confused, didn’t I already know this? Then just recently Casey and I exchanged journals to do listening prayer for each other and when she handed me back mine she told me I might be confused. She told me it was about identity and that she didn’t know if it applied because I seemed so strong in mine. But when I opened it up, in big, bold, green it read, “Ask your Father who He says you are.” Ha, good one Jesus. Repetition- I see you.
The other day when I was running I took some time to talk to the Lord and finally ask the question, “Who am I to you, Lord.” And loving and gracefully He replied:
I am found
“But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
I am Yours
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
I am made new and pure
“‘Come now, let us settle the matter.’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’” Isaiah 1:18
I am loved
“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:5
I am free- no slave to sin
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So it the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’” John 8:34-36
I am a saint
“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27
I am alive
“But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you have been saved”
Ephesians 2:5
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
I’m not an orphan anymore
“‘ I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, say the Lord Almighty.”
2 Corinthians 6:18
Identity. A word and conversation topic that should never be avoided. A word that comes with heavy capital- t, Truth from God. A word that defines, shapes and makes us when we choose to press into the beauty it can bring. And not only press in, but fully engulf our selves in its freedom. We’re ALL sons and daughters. Shout it. Cling to it. Wear it in big bold, underlined, italic letters on your forehead. This is who we are people- let’s live like it and BELIVE it.
