Musings on Identity!

Summer is well underway! I’m not sure exactly how I feel about it so far, but I know it is going to be full of growth and learning, and some fun too I suppose J

Living in a house and buying groceries and paying bills and all of that stuff is super weird and I’m left feeling more and more like a real life adult, but also more and more like a little kid lost in the store searching for my mom and dad. I find myself constantly seeking advice and opinions and affirmation from others, particularly my parents. It’s weird how getting older and becoming more independent almost makes you long for your childhood days. I’m certainly not completely independent yet, nor do I really want to be, but I feel like I’m starting to get a taste of what being a “grown up” means. It seems that it gets harder and harder to be content and at peace with life the older I get, which basically means that the older I get/the more independence I gain the more and more and MORE I am reminded of how desperately I need God’s grace and peace and joy and DIRECTION in my life!

Last weekend my sis and I went to a conference at a church here in Nashville. Kris Vallotton from Bethel Church in Redding, California spoke and it was super awesome! I listen to his podcasts frequently so it was really fun to see him in person. Anyways, one of the main topics that Kris addressed was our identity in Christ. His message was an excellent reminder of exactly WHO I AM and WHY I’M HERE, which I definitely needed to hear. Thus far this summer has been a tad bit depressing. Not in a really dramatic “I hate my life and I’m going to go sit in a corner and cry” kind of way, but just with work and friends and general day-to-day life things I’ve been feeling very aimless and out of sorts. I don’t really enjoy either of my new jobs right now and I’ve been struggling to see the purpose behind why God brought me to the specific jobs and groups of people that I am now immersed in for the next couple of months. I feel a bit like I’m walking around with a blindfold on. I can’t really see what’s going on around me, or what’s coming around the bend. This is both exciting and terrifying!

All of these melancholy thoughts have left me feeling rather purposeless, which lead me to somewhat forget entirely about my true identity. Kris talked a lot about how we become what we think the most important person in our life thinks we are, and since the creator of the UNIVERSE is the most important figure in my life than clearly I am a chosen, desirable, loved, beautiful, PURPOSEFUL, talented, outgoing, etc. heir to the throne! Which means that everything I do is for a reason, and that I am where I’m suppose to be. I am MEANT to be in Nashville, TN in a house on Acklen, working at Anthropologie, nannying, sitting around at Fido, talking to the specific people I encounter each day, etc. All of these simple day-to-day events and responsibilities were set out for me specifically, for this season of my life specifically to further the gospel and spread the unfathomable love that I experience daily. That’s pretty darn encouraging and awesomeeeeeee to think about! And since “we are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose” I can be at peace at ALL times. I am called according to His design and purpose soooooo when I’m sitting around feeling like there is no possible reason for all of the things that are happening to me and in my life I must remind myself that that idea is utterly FALSE!

In a nutshell I feel like I am learning a LOT about how important it is to be grounded in my identity in Christ. Without understanding who I am and who’s I am I can do nothing. There will be no momentum, and there will be nothing even remotely awhirl about my life unless I am fully grounded in my identity in Christ. This week as I’ve been delving deeper into God’s word and as I have strived to set my mind and heart on my true identity I have experienced more and more of the unexplainably overflowing peace that our heavenly Father gives! I’ve felt more joyful at work, I’ve felt more purposeful in the relationships and situations I’m in, and it’s been overall a MUCH better week than the last J I know that this will be a pattern of growth for the rest of the summer (and of my life!!!!) and I’m excited and curious to see how God will move in me, his CHOSEN daughter, this summer!

  Romans 8:28-31!

28We are assured and know that [[j]God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

    29For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was [k]aware and [l]loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

    30And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].

    31What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]