By: Sim Paul Quem Butllig
One of the problems in modern society is identity. Many people use their accomplishments or possessions to define who they are. To some others, by what other people call them, or worse, by what they were not meant to be. Many people, and the youth in particular, were unaware of their true identities.
For quite a long time I have observed that the youth has put their identity in performance, feelings, trends, interests, and peers. As young Christians in the ministry, we had much physical energy to contribute to the ministry. Together with friends, it is indeed fun, and interesting, and it feels super hyped when things get super exciting. But the hype won't last for long, and worse, if you don't handle it right, you'll burn out. I have personally experienced that; I thought I knew who I am in the eyes of the Lord because I thought I was performing so well.
I was working diligently. I was confident. But as time passed, I felt myself perishing, believing it to be because:
'Wala ko nag-ampo ug dugay'
'Wala ko nag-spend time ug dugay"
"kay tungod wala ko nag devo"
"need ko muampo pa gyud ug mas dugay"
Because I believed that who I am in the Lord is determined by how much or how long I labor for Him, I felt the need to continuously perform. All my life groups closed sooner than I anticipated. Even my internal drive to be motivated was gone. I stopped caring about studying. I was burned out.
Later I was convicted that all these thoughts were driven by the performance. By the grace of God and His love, I was able to recover and continue. God taught me a very important lesson in that experience and this lesson really changed the way I see life and ministry: Your identity is not based on your performance, but rather on who God says you are.
In Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT says, "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure."
God already adopted us into His family.
We are already sons and daughters through His son Jesus even before He made the world.
It has nothing to do with your performance in the ministry, your emotions, your level of interest or enthusiasm, or even how you feel.
Your identity is irrevocable. Your position as a child of God will never change as long as you believe in His son Jesus.
In John 1:12 says, "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."
Sin is the only thing preventing us from understanding this.
God hates sin, and the only way to be cleansed is by the blood of Jesus. Repent and believe in Jesus.
It takes to believe in His son Jesus who died for us and redeemed us to the very thing that has been lost to us, our identity.
Friend, it's not too late. God is always ready to embrace you like how the prodigal son in the Bible was embraced by his father despite his filthiness and unworthiness. He loves you and He is waiting for you. You are His son; you are His daughter.
Everything will begin at the moment when God reveals to you who you really are.
After reading this, I hope that you will pray this prayer:
Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family. Reveal to me who I am in your eyes. I want to know you more, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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