On my way to babysit today, I told myself to go ahead and start listening to our new songs we are going to do for worship this coming Sunday. There’s something about listening to worship in your car.. sometimes with the chaos of life, the only alone time I have is driving in my car! Kids are strapped down and not climbing on me, I’m not on my phone and have I one agenda to just drive. So when I add worship music to the mix (which admittedly isn’t added as often as it should be.. country is usually my go to!) it makes that short stint of alone time something powerful. Like it’s my one on one time with God. It’s so easy to forget to make God a priority among everything else and just STOP for a minute. Slow down. Breath. And spend time with the Creator. I’m so guilty of this. So this morning I was overwhelmed with something I feel is so crucial that I swear I have to fix in myself almost daily..
In this day and age, it is soooo easy to slip into finding our identity in this world. We identify with motherhood, fatherhood, houses, cars, hobbies, lifestyles, kids, family, the list goes on.. and we say things like “Oh and I’m also a Christian and I try to live as such!”
We allow all of these factors to piece together our identity. Which in a sense, we can’t help of course. My kids make up who I am. My husband makes up who I am.. but our identity.. our TRUE identity, my being and who I am.. where does that find itself.
I think there is a common misconception of the idea of God being a part of our lives. Just a part.. hits you different when you think of it this way right? Our Father and Creator, maker of all things desires us and only us and all of us. He doesn’t need our home or cars or hobbies or lifestyle. He needs US.. it’s almost rude to look at God and say “You are a PART of my life”.. Our identity IS IN CHRIST. We are FIRST His children. The rest is just earthly decisions that create what kind of human we will be for our short time here on earth. God saw you worth being created for His glory. You are 100% of the Father..
Now this isn’t to say our lives of people places and things is a bad thing! It’s human nature and as long as we always work to bring glory to God in every way possible, that ultimately is our calling here on earth. Bring glory and be a light to others. It’s so easy, however, to let earthly matters define who we are, and like I said this is nearly a daily battle for me!
There is something that brings peace about me, however, when I shift my mindset in this way. By pouring energy, time, worry and stress into earthly identities, you will never find true satisfaction or true purpose. But every time I actively find my identity in Christ alone, all of the sudden my outlook on life in general changes. My demeanor and my heart become almost overflowing with love, joy and positivity. My purpose is real and true. How incredibly blessed am I to have a Father who deemed me worthy of this life!
Please seek that identity in Christ. The feeling is unmatched and unexplainable. Don’t make God a part of your life. But instead make your life a part of God’s perfect and flawless plan. We are so blessed to be able to find that identity in Him!
“15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17
