So I've been thinking about this a lot lately; identity. What our identity is based upon and what that then makes our identity. The world around us is telling us day in, day out that who we are is based on the following;
- what you look like
- what you do
- what you're good at
- who you know
- who loves you
- what you own
- where you live
Seems fair enough right? If you do well in all of these things then you'll be popular, have great wealth, feel content, live the ideal life, be happy. It's fair to say that all of these things are pretty important, yes? But did you notice what's missing from that list? What's missing when it comes to the world's definition of identity? Simple;
- who you are
That wordly list is long, but it doesn't actually have a bullet point with the words 'who you are' written next to it. It misses out the most crucial part! Focusing on basing your identity in what the world tells you it needs to be, striving after the things on that list, causes us to miss the target, miss basing who we are in who we are. So what actually is that? Who are we?
We are what we were made as. Makes sense; you don't follow the blueprints of a mansion and end up with a garden shed, you follow the blueprints of a mansion and end up with a mansion. But what if the guy following the blueprints wasn't very good at his job and made something completely different to what was originally intended? Well, then whoever's mansion it is would be pretty annoyed and disappointed. Fortunately for us, our blueprints weren't followed by some guy who isn't very good, our blueprints were followed by The Creator. The best of the best. Someone so amazing at inventing, designing, and making that He was able to bring into existence the very ground that we stand on! What were these blueprints He followed though? What was it that this impressive and incredible Creator designed us to be like? The answer is found in the Bible - Genesis 1:27; 'His own image'.
God, The Creator, used Himself as the blueprint for us. We are made in God's image. That wordly list of things that define who you are, the list that you probably agreed with me is pretty important, I bet it looks insignificant once you realise that you're made in God's image. Let's rewrite that list, knowing now that we are designed and made in the image of God. In bold is what the world says, in italics is what God says;
- what you look like - You need to look good in order for people to like you. You are perfect just how you are, I designed you to be you, not to be anyone else.
- what you do - You need to do things to earn rewards. You don't need to do anything, Jesus has already done it, it was finished at the cross, and you get to live in the rewards of that.
- what you're good at - You need to be good at something to acheive it. You aren't just good, you're the best, you've got me helping you every step of the way, and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
- who you know - You need to know people in high places, in order to get to a high place yourself. You know me.
- who loves you - You need to be loved in order to be of worth. You are loved by me, and nothing will ever stop me from loving you.
- what you own - You need to own better things than those around you. You have the key to my inheritance, my blessings are being poured over you every single day.
- where you live - You need to live in a nice area to give people a good impression of yourself. You are living in my presence, living in my footsteps, and when you leave this world you will live in heaven.
- who you are
- Inadequate, and worthless.
- I'm Daddy's little girl.