Tuesday, October 3, 2023

What do you think of when you hear the word “identity”? 

Our identity is a crucial part of who we are. It defines us; it is what sets us apart from all others. As I graduated from high school and grew into young adulthood, I struggled with finding my identity. I thought if I found the perfect group of friends, the perfect relationship, or the perfect career, I would finally fit in and feel a sense of belonging. However, that wasn’t the case. God blessed me greatly with those things, but there was a part of me that still felt something was missing. As I fell into the throes of anxiety and depression, I soon realized that I was basing my identity on worldly things rather than on Christ alone.

We are all born with a deep yearning to be understood and to belong somewhere. But the truth is that God created us with a unique purpose and identity to belong to him and his family. When we look for our identity in the fleeting things of this world, we will always end up lost, empty, and insecure. We have all learned at some point that the things of this world are temporary and inevitably a disappointment. They were never meant to define who we are. 

There is a longing in each of our hearts that only God can fill. As Christians, we are set apart by God, who bought us with the price of Jesus’ blood when he died on the cross to save the world from sin and death.

1 Peter 2:9

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

The good news is that, in the Bible, God calls us his adopted children (Ephesians 1:5) and co-heirs with Christ to the Kingdom of Heaven (Romans 8:17). Although it is incredibly easy to lose sight of who we are and what we are called to do, the important thing is to remember whose we are. When we forget that our identity comes from God, we can easily become governed by the “status quo” or how the world defines us. 

Thankfully, we do not have to feel lonely or lost forever—God is always with us (Matthew 1:23), and our identity in Christ can never be taken away!

Questions:

What happens when we place our identity in worldly things?

How do you remember to place your identity in Christ each day?

Next Steps:

This week, place a note somewhere you can see each day that reminds you of your identity in Christ.

Each day, ask God to remind you of who you are and of your true identity in Christ.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving your children a unique, lasting identity in Jesus Christ. Remind me that the things of this world are temporary, and that I can find lasting identity in you alone. Let me go throughout my week, knowing that you have set me apart from this world because you have a better plan for me. Thank you for adopting me as your own. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

John 14:26

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

This post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.