Life as a River
What's your Identity?
This article written by Wes Wilmer, recently appeared in the
Christian Leadership Alliance.
Wes Willmer is the founder of Wes Willmer Group, LLC.
You may contact him at Wes.Willmer@aol.com.
"As followers of Christ we are to be in this world but not of this world. If we are just passing through, should our identity be with Christ, or this world. Our identity is formed by the union of our soul with God—or in the apostles phrase “it is Christ formed within us.” In our culture today as we hear about identity theft, probably the most common question about our identity is to answer the question what do you do? When we are in a meeting or meeting someone new, the common routine is to give a name and title of the organization where you work. As believers, is this our true identity?
The common practice with television games shows like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune etc. is to identify contestants by stating their name and answer the question, what do you do? Most are common replies such as police officer, school teacher, dentist, writer, clerk, truck driver etc. Not long ago, when the Family Feud host was going down the line asking participants what do you do, a middle-aged woman replied, “I am a discipler of Christians.” The host Steve Harvey (who usually has a quick reply) stared at her almost stunned at the statement not knowing how to respond.
This started me thinking what would I say other than my occupation. How about you? Have you considered how to identify who you are in Christ rather than of this world? Is our job titles, our degrees or certificates or awards or boards we serve on or publications we write that forms our identity or should it be our steward role with Christ?"
The common practice with television games shows like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune etc. is to identify contestants by stating their name and answer the question, what do you do? Most are common replies such as police officer, school teacher, dentist, writer, clerk, truck driver etc. Not long ago, when the Family Feud host was going down the line asking participants what do you do, a middle-aged woman replied, “I am a discipler of Christians.” The host Steve Harvey (who usually has a quick reply) stared at her almost stunned at the statement not knowing how to respond.
This started me thinking what would I say other than my occupation. How about you? Have you considered how to identify who you are in Christ rather than of this world? Is our job titles, our degrees or certificates or awards or boards we serve on or publications we write that forms our identity or should it be our steward role with Christ?"
"In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song. This cornerstone,
this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. . . . No guilt in life, no fear
in death—this is the pow’r of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands
my destiny. No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand.
Till He returns or calls me home—here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand."
this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. . . . No guilt in life, no fear
in death—this is the pow’r of Christ in me. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands
my destiny. No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand.
Till He returns or calls me home—here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand."
Recently my mother-in-law went to her heavenly home and I was reminded of how God prepares a special place just for us in heaven (John 14:2-3). CS Lewis writes: “Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it—made for it stitch by stich as a glove is made for a hand.” I can’t help but believe how we identify ourselves here on earth will make a different in our heavenly home. George Whitfield suggested we “live a life of faith on earth, live a life of vision in heaven.”
What is your identity?
What is your identity?
Rivers Not Reservoirs
7982 Hillcrest Trail
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
404.784.4618
Blog: www.hisrivers.org
Email: his.rivers@gmail.com
7982 Hillcrest Trail
Jonesboro, Georgia 30236
404.784.4618
Blog: www.hisrivers.org
Email: his.rivers@gmail.com
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