By: Christine Anne Arana
Who am I? Am I what my family told me to be? Am I who my friends wanted me to be? Or am I what society expects me to be? These are the few questions I asked myself years ago. Have you ever asked yourself the same thing? If yes, this is for you. If you haven't, there's a reason why you are here reading this.
A little story: When I was in junior high school, I started searching for my identity. I began acting in a way that would please my family and friends. I couldn't let them down. I couldn't let anything disappoint them and so I tried my best to do whatever they wanted until I became toxic. It was a late realization. I started to lose some of my closest friends. They no longer include me or share their everyday moments with me, so I started to wonder what I did wrong. After going through that period in my life, my approach became different. I started to have trust issues, but I just moved on with my life without bothering to evaluate myself.
But in December 2018, I got to know Jesus and that was the big plot twist of the year. All my past inhibitions and unfinished issues came back, not to condemn me but to show me that I can conquer them through Christ. I slowly learned about what my identity really is. I've learned that the one who can make it clear to me is my Creator. It didn't happen in a snap of a finger. I went through the process of pruning before I understood and accepted my identity and Christ.
Matthew 3:17, “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
In November 2019, I started doing my journal and daily devotion. I was eager to be consistent. During the first night, God spoke to me through Matthew 3:17. It speaks to me. I am His beloved daughter. I am His. This passage led me to hunger for more. I read more and even watch Christian movies. One of the movies that gives an impact on my identity is the movie, OVERCOMER.
There's this scene where Hannah begins to question who she is. During that time, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. That spoke to me. God made it clear to me that I am blessed. I am chosen. I am redeemed. I am forgiven. I am loved. I am saved, and most importantly, I am His daughter. Just like what Hannah did, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
Many of us were running from the issues of our past. Sometimes we just want to forget them because we don't know how to face or handle them. These problems can lead to many struggles when we will not face them today, of course with the Lord.
We are called His sons and daughters. We belong to His family. We don't need other people's approval anymore, because sometimes the things of this world will go against the will of God. We please God and everyone around us who is also pleasing God will also be pleased. We cannot outgive God as well, but with the identity we have in Him, how should we respond to it?
Instead of working because we want to be accepted, work because God has already accepted us as His own.
We don't really need to change our habits; we just have to change the condition of our hearts. If you position your heart on God, your actions will follow
Matthew 16:26, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"
Matthew 16:26 demonstrates that our sonship and identity are dependent on what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, not what we do or how we behave. Our lives will take on a different perspective once we comprehend this key Christian teaching.
Always keep to heart that in a season of wilderness, our identity will constantly be put to the test. God's words from the prosperous season will be put to the test in the wilderness. Keep in mind that we did not initially become a son of God by works. It is all His grace. He chose us.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope and pray that you'll decide to say Yes to whatever God has called you to. Have a great day, everyone! God bless!
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