TRUE IDENTITY

Isn’t it easy to fall into the trap of thinking our identity or worth is based on how we “perform” in this world?

Isn’t it also so easy to believe the lies that we hear echo in our head?

 

I have found it to be true in my life.

 

I mean, have you ever felt your identity is tied to….

…your career or job?

…what others think of you?

…the education/degrees you have?

…the things you contribute in this world to make it a better place?

…your physical limitations?

…the activities you do daily?

 

I do believe I have been guilty of this in my life…thinking that my identity was tied in more to the things I did at work even though it has been part-time work. It was a year ago the beginning of March, I was informed at my job that my skill level set was no longer good enough and they wanted to make it a full-time position which I was not interested in becoming.  Even with more than 30 years of work experience, a bachelor’s degree was more important as well.

The type of work I was doing was pretty intense and important since it dealt with provider payroll and incentives.  I even interacted, via emails, frequently with the President of the organization. It was very humbling when I saw him in person one day and he complimented me on what a good job I did and extended his appreciation for all my hard work.  Being as accurate as I can be, always trying to double check myself, was a strength my supervisor and manager always praised.  Trying to be conscientious, I would always be checking my work emails at home, trying to respond if needed so I did not hold others up.  I would work extra to make deadlines and the stress level was somewhat high.

In retrospect, in that position, I think I did feel that my identity was kind of tied into the work I did and the way I did it.

Thankfully, my old manager was able to find a different position within the organization for me so I could continue my part time status.  This new position is quite the opposite of my old position.  The work is very simple, no stress of deadlines all the time, having to be there on certain days to perform certain tasks, etc.  It has actually been a big blessing in more ways than one.

This new position has helped me see that my identity is NOT tied to my specific job now.  My identity and worth is not based on the menial work I do on this earth.

It has helped me be more aware of people especially since I went from a group of four people to a room full of about 125 people! For some reason the people are friendlier and are more loving and caring.

I have found it is more important to focus on people rather than the job tasks so much.

People are important and the way you make them feel is a big part of life.

Taking time to “socialize” a little more has proven to be such blessings to them and myself!  It is nice to be able to make someone smile and feel good knowing that you really do care about the hard times they are experiencing.

In fact, just this morning I received this email from a gal at work that I have not met in person….”Thank you for always checking in on me and being such a positive reinforcement!”  Yes, that made my day!  🙂

The less stress is definitely a bonus and I am proud that I feel I have still continued to focus on accuracy by coming up with ways to verify what I do when others had not previously done that.

 

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Segrott under Creative Commons (CC BY 2.0)

 

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Do any of these lies sound familiar?

…you are not good enough.

…you will never be successful.

…you are not lovable.

…you are not worthy.

…you are not beautiful.

 

This week, I challenge you to really think about where your true identity is found.  Will you continue to believe the lies that you really know are not the truth?

 

What if…

…you were not able to work anymore?

…your “friends” did not talk to you anymore?

…you never got that PhD?

…you were unable to contribute to this world anymore in the usual ways?

 

Who would you be then?

Would your world still have purpose?

What if you stopped believing those lies and starting believing what God says about you?

 

Photo courtesy of Sapphire Dream Photography under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) 

 

Let us explore who we really are…where our identity and worth really comes from….

Who are we?

–Children of God!!

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called CHILDREN OF GOD!  And that is what we are!  –1 John 3:1  (NIV)

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  –Ephesians 2:10  (NIV)

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In whose image are we made?

–God’s image!!

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  Genesis 1:27  (NIV)

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Why are we here on this earth?

–To glorify God!!

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  –1 Corinthians 10:31  (NIV)

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.  –Micah 6:8 (NIV)

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What is our ultimate goal in this life?

–To spend eternity with God!!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  –John 3:16  (NIV)

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How can we overcome those lies we believe? …With the Word of God!

 

YOU are GOOD ENOUGH!!

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  –1 Peter 2:9  (ESV)

YOU are SUCCESSFUL!!

“The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”  –Psalms 84:11  (NASB)

YOU are LOVABLE!!

Greater love has no one than this; that he lay down his life for his friends.  –John 15:13 (NIV)  

YOU are WORTHY!!

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  –Matthew 10:29-31  (NIV)

 

YOU are BEAUTIFUL!!

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.  –1 Peter 3:3-4  (NIV)

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Start this week dwelling more on your true identity in God and Christ alone!!

Believe the truth the Word of God proclaims of who you really are!!

Peace to you, my dear friends!

Let this song, Who Am I, by Casting Crowns, remind you of who you really are and what Jesus did for you!

 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  –Isaiah 26:3  (NIV)

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