For most of my life, the subject of identity has constantly been on my mind. Who am I? It seems to change depending on the situation we are in, the job or career we choose, or even the social networks we choose to be a part of. Identity, since the fall of man in the garden of Eden was altered, until Jesus came along and restored us. But a lot of believers never seem to “know” that Jesus came to restore their identity. Instead, they identify themselves from mistakes, guilt, abuse, lies, failures, pain and every other horrible thing you can think of. The enemy wanted us to think that God wasn’t who He said He is, the Great I Am, Healer, Deliverer, Counselor, Provider and oh so much more! The enemy had a plan to distract us from looking to God for our everything and instead wanted us to look to ourselves as the source or solution to man’s problems. The enemy is an accuser, and he will talk you out of every blessing if you let him. Listen to the thoughts in your mind that plague you for hours on end. Are they negative, pessimistic? That will be a clue that those thoughts are just repeats from the enemy whispering in your ear that you are not worthy, and can’t succeed at anything. It’s a lie!
What would life look like if we were not our careers, not even what our friends think we are, or how our family define us to be? What if we were more then that? What if, we were actually children of the Most High God, destined to reign in this life, because we are in Jesus, and He is seated at the right hand of the Father, in heavenly places? And where God is so are we! What if we lived each day knowing that we are good, and designed for good? What if every time a whisper came to us of failure, and defeat, we instead confidently responded with, ” I am the righteousness of Christ!” What if we believed that God is our source of strength in our time of need? What if when we saw ourselves, we saw Jesus and His finished work on the cross for healing, wholeness, and life eternal? What would happen, if we lived for God instead of people? What if we lived to exalt Jesus in everything, instead of ourselves? What if we received the blessings Jesus died to give us? I’ll tell you the answer…He’ll give you rest in an abundant life!
What if I told you that the enemy wants to strip you of your God given identity and make you think you are not good enough, and that God is not able when He is? What if I told you that you could do all things in Christ because He strengthens you when you are weak, and that His power is made perfect right when you just want to give up? What if I told you that God is faithful and that He loves you, and is always working for your good? Did you know He surrounds you, upholds you, covers you, and empowers you to be the best that He has designed you to be?
I spent years looking to myself, my friends, my work, my family, even circumstances, and situations to give me value, and worth. And when I got to the end of all of that I still didn’t know, so I asked God. When I began to look for Him, I found Him. He picked me up from lowly places, and placed me high in heavenly places. Amen! I know who I am, I am beautifully and wonderfully made not my own, but His. There was a unshakable foundation I could draw from, and it felt so encouraging and hopeful for the first time in my life. And when He sees me, He sees my replacement, Jesus, who paid for my mistakes. And when I make another mistake He kindly tells me I did, and I sit at His feet, and let Him wash me through the word, and my sin melts away to the point of no return. You see you have to see Jesus when you see yourself, He is Holy, and just and is always interceding for us. We just have to draw from Him, and we will get what we need to press through to the finish! But if we keep making the world, or our problems our dwelling place, we’ll never overcome. Let God lead you towards His righteousness, then you can live your life knowing who you are in HIM.
Seek first the kingdom of God, and THEN all these things will be added unto you! You may think you know who you are, but let me tell you, your spiritual lineage begins with Jesus! With Him everything is possible, because He gives to you according to His riches!
My prayer for you!
Father, I pray that your children will “know” who they are in you, so that they may prosper, endure, and persevere in every task that is placed in front of them. May they stop working for acceptance, instead, just receive it from you! In Jesus name, Amen!
Bless u!
Photo courtesy – by freefotouk on Flickr
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