Self-identity. How is that defined?
“The recognition of one’s potential and qualities as an individual...”
As a society, we’re continuously being judged. There’s a constant expectation to always share the beauty and joy of life (even if we're not experiencing those feelings and life is pretty crappy). We feel pressured to believe that nobody wants to read about the strenuous, sad, and mundane things that we are going through. We allow our identities to be defined by how we want people to see us. OR we allow others to create the way we identify ourselves.
In Jeremiah 1:5 God says to Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I KNEW YOU. And before you were born,
I CONSECRATED YOU. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Do you know what consecrate means? It's good. It's a thing. Let me tell you. It means to DECLARE something as sacred. God has declared YOU sacred, set apart, sanctified, redeemed...and so on. *insert chill bumps here* Mmm. Wait. I think I need to repeat it. God (yes, our Big Papa upstairs) has declared (not just casually word farted) YOU (ohmuhgah) SACRED. Y'all. How insanely remarkable is that?
In Apostle Paul's epistles, he champions us to be in Christ over 100 times! Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul says a prayer about our identity in Christ and the abundance that comes with having our lives rooted in Him.
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us...to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
As comforting as scripture is, as it should be; self-identity is self discovery that will last for a lifetime. There will be days when you look in the mirror and question who you are. You'll desperately try to define yourself with things of this world. I encourage you, the very minute you start feeling that way, pray. If you pray and you still hunger for more, seek scripture. Desire more? Reach out to a wise counselor, a friend, or a trusted family member.
Have questions or want to chat with me more about this, please reach out! I'd love to pray for you.
Remember, God has called you SACRED.
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