In What Or Whom Do I Find My Identity?

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my identity, about who I am.

Maybe it’s because our next BYOB and B (Bring Your Own Bible and Beverage) event is coming up next week, and our subject is about embracing who you are.

identity :: condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is; the qualities, beliefs, etc., that distinguish or identify a person or thing (Dictionary.com)

I’m a wife to Bill. A mom to Alissa and Zach. A soon-to-be mother-in-law to Morgan. I’m a writer, a Foster Grandparent Program Manager, my church’s Director of Communication, and a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant. I’m also a Bible Study Fellowship leader, a sister to three brothers, and even though my parents are no longer living, I’ll always be proud to be their daughter. I am also a daughter-in-law, a sister-in-law, an aunt (I joke often with my nieces and nephews that I’m their favorite.), and I’m a cousin and a niece. I’m a tandem bicycler, an enjoyer of sunrises and sunsets, and I’m an Iowa girl. I am a friend to some amazing people and I love Jesus.

Sometimes making a list like this helps us see our lives in words, in black and white. It helps us view our lives through titles and descriptions. And, it may also help us identify where we find our identity.

In what or whom do I find my identity?

I’ve been known to find my identity in my jobs, my relationships, in the stuff I’ve owned. I’ve found it in my titles, my achievements, my successes. And, yes, I’ve also found it in myself. But, the thing is, each time I tied my identity to any of these, something occurred to cause me to return my identity to where it belongs… in Jesus.

Maybe it was a lay-off from my prestigiously-titled job, or the end of an important relationship, or the loss of the priceless trinket I owned. Then there were those times of humbling when my success withered and my achievements lost their sparkle. Oh, and I can’t forget about those instances when I acted as if the world revolved around me, only to quickly realize it certainly didn’t.

God continues to remind me my identity isn’t found in anything but Jesus.

But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 NCV

Friend, how about you?

Is your identity found in your titles, your family or friends, your stuff? You’re not alone if it is. But, if I can spare you the tough lessons I’ve learned, I pray you’ll look at your identity differently. I pray we all will.

So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. Colossians 3:1-2 MSG

Let’s begin to see ourselves from His perspective. Let’s find our identity there, in Him. And, let’s keep it there. It’s secure and solid in Jesus.

Blessings,

 

 

 

You’re invited to join me and women like you for our next BYOB and B (Bring Your Own Bible and Beverage) event next week! You’ll be encouraged and inspired! Details can be found here.