Identity

Our identity - often we identify ourselves by our jobs, our kids, our giftings, or by things we own. At other times, we may identify ourselves by what we are not. You know what I mean, the negative self-talk that can become too much a part of our daily lives when we feel we don't measure up. I was reminded of both of these things recently. 

First I am going to address the negative self-talk: a friend posted a video on Facebook by The Truth Bomb Mom, Kristina Kuzmic. The video is called, "The Things We Tell Ourselves." I encourage you to watch it...

It is sad to think of how we are so critical of ourselves. It is difficult to watch and see a little bit of ourselves in that video, knowing that there are times we are those women. We need to remind ourselves that we aren't perfect and as God's creation, we should never speak to ourselves that way.  When lies speak louder than the truth, we need to be reminded that we belong to God, that we are His. And as a reminder for myself...

I hope that you will find a childhood picture of yourself and keep it near so that it can serve as a reminder for you as well. When you look at the picture of yourself as a child, what do you see? Who are you? What are you doing here? These are questions that lead me to a sermon this past weekend that focused on identity - or lack there of as we sometimes go through seasons of identity crisis. When you look at the picture of yourself as a child, I also want you to be reminded that you are a child of God. We were all created by Him, in His image. Our identity is solely based on whose we are. And we are His. 

Ephesians 1:3-6

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

When we read these verses, we are reminded of The Father's Heart. God chose us and he blesses us beyond what we can imagine because of his great love for us. He has given us every spiritual blessing - forgiveness, love, joy, peace - to name a few. The message from scripture is that the Father's heart is one that longs to bless us - his children. Every blessing can be ours if we choose to answer his call and if we choose to live in relationship with Jesus. When we do so, we can live a life that is without blame, without shame, without guilt, without us trying to validate all the ways we don't measure up. 

God meant for us to be restored. 

Ephesians 1:7-10

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with he riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment - to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."

The Son's Mission - the death of Jesus on the cross was a fulfillment of God's plan. Jesus' death was not a plan that went awry but a well thought out plan rooted with purpose for us to be reconciled to God - Our Father. It was the very heart of God's purpose, to bring us back to him and create a family of sons and daughters that God can pour out lavishly his love upon.

The Spirit's Promise, as found in Ephesians, is that when we embrace the Father's heart, we receive the Holy Spirit and that  Spirit lives in us. The Spirit teaches us all that we need to know to follow a godly life, all the days of our life. When we live a Spirit-filled life, we live a surrendered life to him, knowing that we cannot do life on our own. The Spirit-filled life is a joy-filled life. It doesn't mean that there won't be difficulties or troubles, but that Christ will walk with us in whatever journey or season we are facing.

Ephesians 1:11-14

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory."

Who are you? What are you doing here?

How will you choose to define yourself? Are you still trying to define yourself according to the world's standards?

Are you living in the fullness of the Spirit today?

Our salvation and our honour need to depend on God and our relationship with the Father, rather than on the things of this world that determine success. God invites each of us to do life with him. Choose to be faithful to him. Choose to identify yourself as God's Child. Choose the Spirit-filled life; the JOY-filled life that can only come through Christ Jesus. Be the best version of yourself. Chose God to be at the centre of your life, your core. Choose to live life with God. Allow God to work in your life and reveal his plan for you - this year, today, in this moment.