Tuesday, January 19, 2010

I Know Who I Am?? (Israel Houghton, 2008)


I can tell you all about who Jesus is and who I am "in" Him. I know and can explain to others that I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10), a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), a child of light (1 Thess. 5:5), a joint heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17), chosen, holy, beloved (Col. 3:12)...the list goes on and on. But, recently, instead of living in who Christ has said I am, I've tried to fit a self-created identity and failed miserably.

Demanding excellence, I've always been very critical of what I do, how I look, and the things I accomplish. It is not necessarily for God's glory, but for my desire to be the best, that I care about these things. As such, lately, I've fallen into the trap of living to fit a mold to which I told myself I must conform. It's no wonder I've failed. After all, I am trying to be someone I am not. The Lord never required me to be Mrs. Perfect Super Woman/Mom/Wife/Servant. He simply called me to listen to and obey Him--to be His child...His servant...His friend.

Maybe you can relate. Have you ever found yourself trying to 'be' someone that your pride told you to be? Instead of walking in all the grace, peace, and power that comes with your Christ-identity, you settled--like I did--for a lesser identity you imposed on yourself?

If you've been there, then join me today, in allowing the Lord to completely liberate us from the idol of 'image' and transform us by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). Pray with me asking Him to increase as we decrease (John 3:30). For it's by His grace alone that we are who we are (1 Cor. 15:10).