We are human BEINGS

 I've been working on leading a discussion with my young adults group on identity. Why is it so important for us to understand who we are; especially at our stage in life? 

The purpose of realizing your identity is to help you understand who God created you to be. You will be better equipped to step into your calling and recognize your dreams. You will be able to launch well into the next season of your life (marriage, career, education, etc). But it also helps us build the Kingdom and not the church...let me explain that one briefly:

So many people think that our sole mission is to grow the church. But as Pastor Jamey oh-so-eloquently put it last Sunday, "churches are just sheep shacks." They are simply buildings meant to build us up and equip us to go out, not caves we are meant to dwell in. God has already built the church and has given us the keys to the Kingdom (Matthew 16:18), so now it's time to go out! We are meant to set people free in their identity in Christ. So isn't it so very important for us to be solid in who we are? Back to identity...

  

What does it mean to have your identity in Christ?

It's not just a matter of claiming Bible verses for yourself. To have your identity in Christ means that you're placing your confidence for life and eternity in the Lord. It means that you're learning to do all that you do with and for Jesus. It means that people will see Jesus when they look at you. To have your identity in Christ means that you are being formed more and more into the image of the Lord.

Identity revolves around who we are, not what we do. Your calling is not your identity. Your commission is not your identity. Business owner, pastor, burger flipper, school teacher, evangelist, etc are descriptions of things you do, they are not who you are fundamentally. Your vocation is an expression of who you are, not the root. (Ever meet a workaholic who lost their job and lost motivation in life?) Have our priorities as Americans helped us or hindered us in this way? In eternity, it's your character and identity that will remain, not the life you built for yourself. 

Who are we in Christ? Did you know...“In Christ” is referenced 160x in the Bible!

Romans 8:14-17
-We are sons of God

-Closest form of intimacy with Father

-Fellow heirs with Christ

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

- As co-heirs with Christ, we literally have been given all things because Christ was given all things. Think about that...if it was given to Christ, miracles and signs and wonders, WE GET TO DO IT TOO!

Ephesians 5:22-33

Revelation 19:7

- Bride of Christ

- Closest form of intimacy with the Son

- We have all of Him

1 Corinthians 6:19

- Temple of the Holy Spirit

- Closest form of intimacy with the Spirit

- He dwells within us in intimate communion

In all instances we have the closest relationship to God possible without becoming part of His Godhead. We lack nothing and the outflow of our identity should be to "enjoy God and be enjoyed by Him" (John Piper). Oh, and you don't have to do anything to "be" these things. It wouldn't be identity if you did. We are human beings not human doings.

Ask God to surprise you with who He created you to be, not with what He created you to do. You won't be able to fully come into your calling without first understanding who you are.

To be continued...

Life is an Adventure

I'm in love with places I've never been and people I've never met. 

I went on a business trip last week to train the new owner of a club. My friend Kevin (check out his blog here) gave me this encouragement before I left on my trip: "Remember Who you represent and look for opportunities to be blessed by sharing His love with those you meet ." 

I met an old man staring at the moon. 

With binoculars in hand, he was staring at the moon like it was his long lost love. I smiled as I stood next to him and looked at the crescent moon, trying so hard to see what he was seeing. Without talking, he handed me his binoculars. I took a peek. They must have been strong binoculars because you could see everything. Even though most of the moon was dark, you could still make out the craters and shadows. He whispered "beautiful, isn't it?" and I agreed. He took his binoculars and I wished him a good night as he simply smiled and walked away. 

As I was driving home the next day, I was thinking about it: "Look for opportunities to be blessed by sharing His love." God uses our experiences with the people around us to bring US as much joy as we bring them hope. As we are obedient and walk in His direction, He puts situations that we can both minister to another, but that also will minister to us. God doesn't ask us to tirelessly work for Him. He loves us; He wants to bring us joy. As I thought about my friend in the parking lot of the hotel, I prayed that God would bless him and meet him wherever he was that day. However far away from home he was, that he would find himself not alone.

Life is an adventure, it is never the same two days in a row. There are always new and different circumstances and the people you meet can bring you either closer to God or pull you further away. I want to be the kind of person, even if it's just planting a seed of kindness, to draw people closer to God.

I'm in love with places I've never been and people I've never met. When I do go there and meet them, I am blessed.