I was challenged with 3 questions today at a wonderful church gathering.  The topic the pastor has recently been discussing has been identity.  The world offers us much about identity....and most of us to some extent "take on" its standards and offerings along the journey of our lives.  We are told what we should do at every turn...perhaps all the more in the church, since we are "trying" to be more Christ-like! 

Now, supporting God's standards of righteousness is a good thing, and His word gives us plenty about how to live.  But even before being told what we should do we need to learn who we should be!  Because we have a human nature, we are prone to do human things.  In our lives we endure experiences that hurt and harm how we see ourselves - and those, in turn - subtly (or directly) influence what we do.  Before long they affect how we see ourselves and sew lies into us about who we are.

We must learn to look past the world to find who we are.  The One who created us knows us better than we know ourselves and has everything to offer concerning our identity.  Firstly, we are designed to allow His life to flow through us once we know Him.  Because He is a God of love, light, grace, mercy, goodness, patience, kindness, long-suffering and truth, He made us to need and desire those qualities.  He also designed us to "feel satisfied" when when we accept those gifts from Him and begin to walk in them! 

There is nothing more sad than when someone has been told much of their life they are "bad" or not "good enough" - and their actions and life style begins to accept that as the standard they live by and settle with.  God does not tell us to be a light or try to act like a light in the world.  He says we are a chosen generation - the salt of the earth - the light of the world!  He has given us all the tools of His character to shine in the darkness of this world and make a difference around us!  He says that if we take on the identity of His nature, then we will reflect a contagious joy that will draw others to discover the same!  It is about falling in love with He who IS love and allowing that to become our identity!

The questions that challenged me had to do with the application of His identity flowing through me.  So often we don't know what to do with the desires He gives us and they become suppressed, hidden or silenced.  Sometimes we even take on jobs that are not what we were designed to be doing just to feel as though we are contributing to "a good cause."  The enemy can again deceive and lie to us, telling us our offerings are not important - worse yet, telling us we are not important. 

I am here to say that every beating heart and breathing individual is important!  When we become a Christian, we become a part of HIS body.  Every body part, joint, organ and ligament is necessary!  God does not make mistakes.  He made each one of us for a purpose that will glorify Him when submitted and in His presence!  Here are the questions:

1.  What breaks your heart?

2.  What is a need that you can fill?

3.  Where do you have influence?

I have swallowed these today and they are working in me like fresh water to bring clarity and passion!!  Do you want to make a difference in those who surround you?  Pray that His identity and person consume you to overflowing!  Let Him show you what indeed breaks your heart and where you have the ability to be most effective and fruitful as a representative of His glory!  Look up and find the truth about who you are and how you can represent His beauty and nature in a dark world!

(Thanks Pastor Brent Roam!)