Identity

Dec 1, 2020

"I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

- Apostle Paul, Galatians 2:20

"Love slays what we have been that we may be what we were not."

- St. Augustine

As a father, and now as a grandfather, I believe in the power of words to shape identity. After tusseling with my fourteen month old grandson, worn out and exhausted, he collapses in my arms. As he lays his head back against my chest, I lean toward his right ear and whisper...

"You are so smart!

"You are so strong!

"You are so fun!

"You are so quick!

"You are so good!

"You have such a great heart!"

...and on and on and on.

And even though he doesn't fully understand the meaning of those words, I can see them breathing life and light and love into his little soul. As adults we are no different!

God knows the confusion my identity suffers in crisis. He also knows how handicapped my capacities are to generate gratitude in depression or thankfulness in loss or joyfulness in trouble. Which is why, throughout the Scriptures, God whispers to our soul in our exhaustion who we are in Him.

In Christ Jesus...

I am a child of God

I am forgiven

I am saved by grace through faith

I am led by the Spirit of God

I am a partaker of the divine nature

I am loved by God

I am gifted by God

I am a new creation

I am kept in safety wherever I go

I am getting all my needs met in Jesus

I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might

I am eternal...and on and on and on

Friends...if you read that at the start of every morning, don't you think that would make a difference? I've got to believe that when you stop to consider who God says you are that Your confidence in your true identity will sustain you and elevate you no matter what you're going through!