IDENTITY

You would think that if someone feels the need and takes the time to write on a specific topic then they are very strong in the area or have a great deal of experience involving the topic. What I have realized is as humans we are never going to reach a level of full knowledge on any topic in life. Everyday is a new chance to grow and even better chance to learn. You can’t wait to share your knowledge while waiting to become perfect.

While we can never be perfect, we serve a God that is perfect in all things. He wraps all of our imperfections in his perfect and endless grace.

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” PSALMS 18:30

That’s why I have decided to write from the reader’s point of view.

I’m guessing if you clicked on this post, you struggle with this topic as well. Finding my identity, or better yet realizing and accepting my identity is something I have struggled with without even realizing. I thought it would be a good to go ahead and share my thoughts on our identity in Christ vs. our identity in the world.

The most simplistic definition of the word identity is “the fact of being who or what a person or thing is”

This blatant definition makes this word seem so straightforward and easy to comprehend. It appears as if our personal identity is achieved by strictly those two things. It seems as if what we do or what we have defines us. Our jobs, awards, and activities are definitely not what are meant to define us. So if this word is so simple to comprehend, then why do we spend so much time pondering upon it?

Discovering or better yet realizing one’s identity is something every single individual struggles with at some point in their life. Whether it is something that consumes your thoughts on a daily basis or something you think about once in a blue moon; it’s human. As humans we try to discover our identity for ourselves in order to have a social identity. We crave these labels and these statuses when they are all simply fake.

As humans, we think that our social, marital, religious, or financial status are what define us. News flash-they aren’t!

There are two different kinds of identity that are found in our lives: Our identity in the world and our identity in Christ. There seem to be two different concepts that make up who we are. Where our flesh falls short with this idea is that you can not have one and have the other.

Which means- You can’t be identified with the world and be identified as a child of God.

As humans we think our identity is something we can achieve. We think it is something we can hang on a wall to display. We think it is something we can pursue or accomplish. We are all in constant search of what we think is our identity, but it really just leads to a toilsome circle of disapointment.

I thought that my identity was found by cramming my schedule with as much as possible. I thought that the more clubs, sports, and activities I was a part of would make me feel whole. As I was pushing myself towards these goals, I was really just pushing myself farther and farther away from where I needed to be. All of these activities I filled my time with always left me feeling empty at the end of the day. I felt like I could never work hard enough or ever be enough. My academic and athletic achievements are not what made me who I am. When I chose to live a life identified as a Child of God that hole was finally filled. I started to realize that I was enough for God. I didn’t have to be perfect anymore because I have a God that loves me despite my imperfections.

Yes I am a daughter, and a sister, and a friend. Yes I am a cheerleader and a barista. But these titles are not what make me who I am. These titles will never fulfill me or give me purpose. These titles can go away at any time.

Who I am is found in who I am in Christ alone.

Your identity in NOT something you work for. Your identity is something that is a choice. A choice to follow God and live a life as HIS child. You can either be identified with the world, or be identified as a child of God. To be identified with Christ means to fully turn your life over to him. To stop living for yourself with a fleshly mindset and live with God with a mindset set on things above

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

GALATIONS 2:20

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

EPHESIANS 2:8-10

When we try to find our identity in worldly things, we will be let down every single time. 2020 has completely put a lot of things into perspective to me. I don’t have all the answers but I feel as if God has wiped my eyes and I can see the world a little clearer.

COVID-19 has completely stripped most of us from the people we love and the things we love. It made me realize without God we have nothing. Every worldly thing or person can be taken away from us at any time. The only everlasting hope we have as Christians is our relationship with Christ. When you find your identity in worldly things you will be let down every single time. The only thing we can cling to at any time is God’s love for us. Everything on Earth is temporary.

Now what does it actually look like to be identified in Christ? It’s a choice to take up your cross daily and live a life for God and not the world.

Identifying with the world looks like…

• A constant state of jealousy and envy.

• Feelings of loneliness

• Worry and fear hindering your growth

• Searching for love

• Feeling anxious and stressed

Identifying with Christ looks like…

• Feeling worthy every single day

• Realizing you are never alone and the Holy Spirit is always with you

• Having no fear of the future because you know who is in control

• Knowing you are loved by the King no matte what

• Being able to cast all of your anxieties on him

Imagine this…

You are driving your car through a roundabout going around in around in circles. You know where your end goal is but you have to go all the way around to get there. You are in control of your own car but there are cars all around you trying to get in and out of roundabout. This is exactly what it is like to identify with the world. When you attempt to remain in control it is very stressful and the obstacles in life hinder you from your end goal.

Now imagine this…

You are flying first class on an airplane thousands of feet in the air. Your trip is a one way through the clouds to your location. Your pilot is in charge as you get to look out the window and enjoy all of the beautiful things below. THIS is what it looks like to identify as a child of God. It is making God become your pilot and giving him control. Living your life first class means your path is so much straighter and you get to enjoy all of the wonderful things around you.

As humans we are never going to be perfect or know enough on a certain topic. I still struggle with this topic but I wanted to share my thoughts for those in the same boat I am. So today make that step and hand it over to God. Become a child of God and identify in Christ. Live a life for him free from the world.