In Case You’ve Forgotten Who You REALLY Are
I filled out a questionnaire recently for a nonprofit organization. It wanted to know my favorite hobbies, my job, my marital status, the ages of my children. It asked what I did, but nowhere did it ask who I really am.
I’m not blaming the creators of the questionnaire. But I think it shows how easy it is for us to define ourselves by what we do, instead of who we are.
It’s so tempting to define ourselves by the words we type out on in our bios, resumes, and email signatures. As for me, I am most certainly a wife and a mother. I write. I pack lunches. I look for lost shoes. I teach Sunday school. I excavate expired sour cream from the back of the refrigerator. I sing loudly in the shower.
But I am more than a mama, a wife, a writer, a wannabe rock star, and a rad air guitarist. Those are all great things. But my most important identity of all isn’t something that fits neatly on a questionnaire. My most important identity of all is this: Child of God.
I am my Father’s daughter. No one can ever take that away from me. Everything else could be taken away — my job, my church, my ability to speak or write or think or cook or strum or hum. Even the people I love could be taken away. But nothing can steal my truest identity of all — daughter of the King, sister of Jesus, temple for His Spirit.
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God” (John 1:12-13).
Here’s who you really are:
1 – You are made by God — “Even before He made the world” God made you! Furthermore, He decided clear back then to love you. His decision to love you is still valid today. (Ephesians 1:4)
2 – You are saved by Jesus — “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” (Hebrews 13:6)
3 – You are held by the Holy Spirit — Jesus did not leave us alone, as orphans, but gave us the gift of His Holy Spirit. We carry that strength in us, to help us through every circumstance. Jesus is not far away, but as close as your own heartbeat. (John 14:18)
4 – You are dependent on His grace — This is a grace that He generously gives, even in our weakness. We aren’t saved by our works today or tomorrow. We are saved through faith, “so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:9)
Praying for you…
Love, Jennifer
Important Notice for the #TellHisStory Community
Yesterday I opened the launch team/book club to help spread the news about The Happiness Dare. My publisher made plans for a 300-member launch team, but those spots were filled in just three hours! They added 100 extra spots, and then those spots were filled! So I didn’t even get to officially invite my #TellHisStory blogger crew! The official application process is now closed, but here’s the good news. My publisher has saved a few extra spots exclusively for members of #TellHisStory!
If you want to be on the launch team, I need you to do the following:
1 – Email me at
jd*******@gm***.com
.
2 – Write “Happiness Dare launch team” in the subject line.
3 – Give me your email, name, Facebook name, and a brief explanation about why you’d like to be on the team.
I couldn’t do this without my #TellHisStory peeps!
For details about the launch, click here.
#TellHisStory
Hey Tell His Story crew! It is a joy to gather here every week with you. The linkup goes live each Tuesday at 4 p.m. (CT). If you would use the badge on your blog, found here, that would be great! And if you would visit at least one other blogger in the link-up and encourage them with a comment, that would be beautiful! Be sure to check the sidebar later. I’ll be featuring one of you over there! Our featured writer this week is Angela Craig. She writes about broken perfectionism and this is one post that we all truly need to read. (Especially if you saw part of yourself in my first book, Love Idol.) Find Angela here. To be considered as our featured writer, be sure to use our badge or a link to my blog from your post. 🙂 xo Jennifer
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I really needed this reminder that it’s not about what we do but who we are, daughters of the King. Thank you, Jennifer.
“Nothing can steal away my truest identity–daughter of the King, sister of Jesus, temple for His Spirit.” And what greater privilege could we possibly desire than these three identities? Thank you, Jennifer, for this uplifting perspective.
In a world where things and what we do identifies us, it is refreshing to know that what really matters is being a Child of God. That never changes and is the one constant we can count on. Thank you so much for being honest and real.
It is so easy to let other things define us. I constantly need to be reminded of my true identity. I love how you do that here, and it’s so reassuring to remember that our true identity can never be taken away from us.
Even when we do this or that, the voice that says it still isn’t good enough, you’ll never be good enough…can be counter attacked with this very truth you shared. I’m glad we are not defined by what we’ve done but by what Christ has done for us. This is the Good News the disciples were so eager to share. I think that’s also what attracts me to your blog, because we do live in a world where we need Good News in our lives. Daily!
This is always a reminder that is much needed! Every single day! It is so easy to get attached to another label, but the only one we should cling to is the label given to us as Child of God!
Thanks, Jennifer!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
This was me. As a child of divorce we need approval and acceptance. It is easily found when we look at our accomplishments as our source of love. Thanks for sharing this very important message. It blessed me today!
Congrats on the book!
Oh, yes. I couldn’t agree more on this post. Flashback to what I wrote about Unbranded Accessories, Branded Life. The most important brand we wear is that we are God’s children. 🙂
This post is full of such tender truth.
And I’m planning to promote your book whether I’m on the launch team or not!
I have a lot of arms that hold me up in this world, but I’ve never been more grateful for God’s. Thanks for that reminder today, Jennifer.
Thanks for this reminder of God’s solid truth. Why is this so easy for us to forget? I’m drinking in this truth right now and planning on sharing it with my daughter. <3
Sometimes we just need that reminder…child of God! Love that!
Thank you for reminding me this morning of who I am. Some days, more than others, I need the reminder. Today was one of those days. Bless you!
Wonderful reminders, here. Thank you so much for sharing this encouragement! I am in the process of praying over job choices …and this was very appropriate for my heart to consider this morning. Many thanks!
Happy Wednesday!
Megs
Jennifer, the truths you have shared here are so important. Who we are is not defined by what we do. We are His, and He values us not because of performance — no matter what this world tells us.
I tell these truths to others, but sometimes I need to remember them for myself. Thank you, Jennifer.
Thanks so much for your reminder of who we really are in Christ! Many blessings to you, Jennifer!
We all need this reminder of who we REALLY are in Christ! Thank you Jennifer and blessings to you!