We are the children of God. Each and every one of us. This is our identity. Although the world would have us get caught up in titles like executive, officer, doctor, mom, dad and so on, our real identity is child of God. This is the only identity we should be concerned with and obsess about. Unfortunately, many of us struggle with what our identity is. We get lost in letting what we do define us. The world puts so much emphasis on what we do for work, that we often forget our true identity. The only identity that matters is being a child of God. Everything else is secondary. When we put our focus on Him each day our perspective is elevated and our minds are transformed. When we are looking to anything else to define us or give us our identity we become lost, overwhelmed and confused. This is what the enemy wants. The devil wants us to make idols of our identity. Anything that we focus on above God is an idol. When we focus on Him, He will help us with all the roles He has gifted us.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1 NIV
We are blessed to have a Father in Heaven who knows our hearts. Too often we allow the world to tell us what our intentions are, when the world can only judge us from what they see. Many of us can even feel that we must go out of our way to explain ourselves in order to be understood and accepted. We have been conditioned to conform and fit in so that we do not place a spotlight on ourselves for the world to call us out or mock us. The world is cruel and harsh when often we are each just seeking validation. With God we don’t have to put on airs, He sees us through and through. He knows the good intentions and the bad. He sees the complete truth. This is why we should only do for His sight and not others. Chasing after accolades, recognition and fanfare is a worldly endeavour. It will never be enough to give us the feeling of sufficiency we long for. However, when we seek only to please God and know that He truly sees us, we will be filled with complete sufficiency that only He gives. He is all the validation of identity we will ever need.
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
A Story of Looking to God for Identity:
It has been three years since I moved away from my family. Since I have moved things in my life have gotten so much better. Instead of being the unwanted child, ignored child and the child that can do no right. I have become my own person. I don't worry about how my family feels about me anymore.
I have a great job, a roof over my head, food on the table and a dream of having my own farm and being self-sufficient. God is showing me what I need to know to get there. In the meantime, He shows me His love. I just recently won a vacation trip that I am going to give to a couple that has helped us out in ways that you can't imagine. God is an amazing God. I can't wait to be with Him one day.
- Penny Scarlett-Jamison
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
Considerations for your planner:
- Write down what defines you. How do you see your identity? Do you ever feel overwhelmed, confused, or lost in it?
- Are you doing for the sight of God or for others? Write down what complete validation in who you are would mean to you.
