Identity In Christ

I paused for a minute before putting my temporary drivers license in my purse, staring at it. It seems to have all my information on it--from information to my name and address, to details such as my eye color. It’s an identification card, yet it fails to include the most important identifying information there is about me: that my identity is found in Christ.

Because of what Christ has done, my identity is no longer defined by things this world finds important. My identity is found in Him. When this world tells me that I’m a failure, He gently reminds me that “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When this world tells me that it’s all about looks, He says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:3-4). When this world tries to identify me by worldly standards, I’m constantly reminded that my identity isn’t found in this world, but in Christ, thanks to what He’s done for me.

Kayla Joy

Willingly Being Shaped

I rolled the play-dough between my hands, twisting and twirling it until it reached a shape I was satisfied with. I wasn't sure what I was going to make yet; I was paying more attention to ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the creations the girl I was babysitting was making. I absentmindedly formed my piece of play-dough together, wrapping it into a circle. "Hey!" the little girl suddenly called out, pointing at my play-dough, "You made a nest!" I glanced down at my play-dough, only to realize she was right. It really did look like a bird's nest! The whole time I'd been forming the play-dough, I didn't have any slight idea of what I was going to make. A bird's nest certainly never popped in my mind!

Thankfully, it's not that way with God. When He created us, He knew what He was doing. We weren't a mistake. We weren't a spur of the moment kind of idea. He didn't need someone else to point out to Him what He had created. He knew what He was doing when He created us. And, amazingly, He didn't only make us, but He keeps working on shaping and forming us into who He wants us to be, if we're willing to be molded by Him.

Isaiah 64:8 says, "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand." I love how the verse doesn't say, "You were the potter" but that it says, "You are the potter". He didn't just create us and leave us on our own. He's actively shaping us, forming us, and molding us. 

Often, this shaping stretches us. It can make us step out of our comfort zone. It can be painful. But as long He's the potter, He sees the big picture, and He has a plan. Are you willing to let Him shape you daily? 

Kayla Joy