Everybody’s talking about identity.
Who are you? What are your pronouns? How do you identify?
Don’t stop reading if you are outside of the LGBTIQA+ camp. What I’m about to say applies equally to us all.
We all question our identity, and then make assumptions about our identity that are false, pretend, dangerous and lead to immoral and sinful behavior.
Anytime you believe anything about yourself that isn’t perfectly, 100% accurate and true, you are not choosing the real you. You are living a lie.
If you think you’re a much better athlete, musician, student or friend than you really are, then your superiority complex is going to judge others unfairly. And you’ll put yourself in a position that isn’t a fit for you.
If you are confused about your sexual orientation and make decisions about your identity based on society’s fads or your inner feelings, you are hitching yourself to a shaky, unstable and vulnerable identity.
If you are trying to be somebody that others think you should be, then you are giving yourself away to the highest bidder. It’s that simple.
If you look at yourself in the mirror and see a loser, an addict, a sinner, a doubter, a slacker, a narcissist, a drunk, a failure, a criminal, a fake, a wimp, a worrier, an independent thinker who is free to choose whatever you want, a people pleaser, a diseased or disabled third class person or a victim—they you are making assumptions about your identity that are flat out wrong.
Living a lie—that’s a hard life, no matter how sincere you might be.
Here is the truth. God made you, and you’re not generic. When he designed you, he chose your shape, your personality and your gender.
More than that, he built into you his special gifts and purposes for you.
More than that, whatever of you that is false, pretend, immoral or sinful God has redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in your place. And he has covered with the waters of holiness in your baptism. That’s also his design and gift for you. A new identity!
Actually, when you believe that what God says about you is true, then you are living out the best version of yourself. It’s the accurate and perfect version, because God doesn’t lie. Not about anything. Not about you.
Your view of yourself, and others’ view of you are both powerful in good ways and bad, but never perfectly accurate. Never.
So, do you know what God says about you? Do you believe what God says about you? I can help you discover your true self by giving you Bible guidance to those questions. If you’re here in the Pflugerville community, we teach this regularly in our Sunday services and LifeGroup Bible studies. Along with that, I’d be happy to chat anytime! Just reply to this email.
“You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place” (Psalm 139:13-15).
PRAYER: Dear God, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. Thank you! Convince me of my true, perfect and accurate identity so that I can honor you. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: Here is an inspiring story called “You Are More Beautiful Than You Think.” It’s a powerful experiment where a forensic artist sketches women based on their own descriptions, and then also on someone else describing them. You’ll be amazed when you see this!
