My daughter is 16 years old. Which is strange because I was just 16! Well, sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago but other times the memories and experiences seem like they just happened yesterday. Being a mother of a teenage daughter brings about many different conversations. I am blessed that we have a close relationship and it was something I prayed for when I first found out I would be having a girl. But as many of you know, the teenage years can be harsh. Identity and acceptance by peers is a very real part of growing up. I think if we were all honest, we often chase that desire to fit in to the mold that society has created...thin/fit, attractive, smart, well off, well liked, perfect family, successful, etc.
Too often we can find ourselves with a mistaken identity.
While sharing with my daughter where her TRUE identity lies I gave the following analogy: what if society says we should all look and taste like an apple. But God created you to be a pear among the apples. To stand out for a purpose and that purpose is to NOT be like everyone else! I know, seems a little simple minded but there is truth in that analogy.
Most of us grow up thinking that we create our own identity through our environment, experiences, personal choices and preferences, etc. We become someone that represents "us". But the reality is every person was born with their identity already in them. God created it and designed it for a purpose. This is why no two people are alike. We are all unique because we were created for a specific direction, call and purpose. And it doesn't matter if someone believes in God or not, he still created them with the specific and unique gifts. When you give your life to Christ, you find your true identity that was created for you before the foundations of earth! NOTHING can separate us from that identity because it is rooted in God's love. There's nothing you can do to disqualify your identity or change who you are because you are God's creation.
So, why do so many people struggle with their identity, either not knowing who they are or not loving themselves? Even those who follow Christ can sometimes find themselves "lost". One of my favorite songs right now is "Defender" by Upperroom. There is a line in the song that says, 'When I thought I lost me, you knew where I left me. You reintroduced me to your love". This is because he gave us our identity! So, when the world tells us lies about who we are or when we find ourselves feeling "less than", go to the one who created you. He knows who you really are. After all, an artist knows what they created, regardless of other's opinions of their work.
Knowing our true identities brings peace and joy but even more so than that, it brings purpose! There is a someone in this world that is waiting for you to be who God created you to be. No one can take your place. In a world that says to be an apple, be a pear!!
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes." Ephesians 1:3-4
Defender- Upper Room Worship
https://youtu.be/ptbuUaRZURo
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