We live in a day and age where people “identify” in so many different ways. But I feel a tugging at my heart to write about your identity. My identity.
When I lost my husband, and I believe anyone who endures that kind of loss, you feel as if you lose a part of your identity. For me, it was my identity as his wife. It was a part of me that I was so very proud of. I LOVED being his wife. There is a part of grief that not only mourns the physical loss of the person, but also how that person impacts our identity as their spouse, or parent, or best friend, or sibling, etc.
What about when we make our identities our profession? One’s identity is as a doctor, or a lawyer, or an HR person, or a VP of whatever… What about when we find our identity as a parent? Or, our identity as an athlete? As a musician? As a vegan? As a beauty queen? As an influencer?
The danger, and I say this in love, is that finding our identity in the things of this world, or in relationships, is futile. This world and all it offers can change, heck, it could vanish. All of those beautiful and good things, can go away, unfortunately, chances are they will. Then what? If we plant our flag of identity in temporary things, who the heck are we when they dissipate? If my identity is something within myself, what do I do if I one day… change my mind?
I’ve told my children for many years that my identity is found in Christ. I am, who HE says I am, through HIS word. Furthermore, that’s where my flag is planted and it ain’t moving. My identity is found in my faith in JESUS and everything HE discloses to all of us through HIS word.
I believe I’m a sinner (one of the worst, btw) saved by the grace of God. I believe that I am HIS, not because I deserve anything, but because Jesus redeemed me. I believe that the only thing good in me, is CHRIST. My LORD died for me, HE made a way for me to spend eternity with HIM, that’s how freaking valuable I am. In that… I find my identity.
Now, that doesn’t mean I’m not a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a niece, a grandmother, a friend, a step-mom… those are all titles I cherish and love. But, that’s not my essence. That’s not what defines me. Everything I get to do, and everyone I have the privilege of loving, are gracious gifts from a Father in Heaven that chose to save a wretch like me. What finding my identity in Christ means, is that where I find my sufficiency, my completeness, my satisfaction, and my purpose are all in Jesus.
In a world that wants to define me by my sex, or my job, my age, or the size I wear… I respectfully decline. I do not wish to play your game.
I’m a follower of JESUS CHRIST, the Savior, the Creator, the living word.
Everything else, well… it’s everything else.