Since I was a child I have grown up in church. I knew the stories. I knew that I believed in Jesus. It wasn't until the past couple of years I started realizing that my identity was not completely found in God. I was looking in other places to make up my identity.
Identity simply put by the Cambridge Dictionary is a person's name and other facts about who they are. Who was I? I can recall several times where I would try to fit in. Change my personality, the way I thought, and my beliefs (standards) to try and match those around me. To make me feel like I belonged to that particular group.
When a person does this they can get mixed up. They can get confused and forget the person they are is more then enough through Christ. Through intentional thinking I'm realizing that no person, no job, no clothing style, no hair style, no success/accomplishments can define who I am.
By relying on any of these things, a person can get let down real fast. Other people are just like me. Because of this I can understand that they have shortcomings. Relying on them for my identity or my happiness will more then likely keep me disappointed. Jobs can come and go. Clothing styles change, and the material wears out. Hair styles change. Success in anything is just a moment in time. After that moment wears off it is then a memory that you can look back on. Inside a person will be wanting a bigger success if that is what they rely on for their identity. All of these things are fleeting.
My identity must be found in something consistent. Something stable. Something that gives me a hope that I can trust in. God is the only thing in the lifetime that has been all of that.
Colossians 2:9-10 "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness"
When we ask Jesus into our heart we are made complete, through Him. This speaks volumes to me. In a world that tries to confuse the truth, the truth is simple. Say it again, "I am brought to fullness through Christ".
Nothing else can complete you but the fact that we have saved and redeemed. Keep your eyes on things above. (Colossians 3:1) This will help each of stay focused on our true identity. It will help us understand what are freedom in the Lord consists of.