If you are trying to build up your value, or if you are working to create a satisfying identity, you can lay those heavy burdens down.
I listened to my friend recently as she lamented that her sense of identity was unraveling like yarn being pulled from a sweater:
“I thought I was doing great. I was getting stuff done and feeling rather talented. But lately, I have been feeling completely incompetent. Maybe even worthless. I’m overwhelmed with demands that I can’t meet. I can’t even keep my closets organized!”
We all need reminders of our true identity and worth. If you feel that a messy closet—or a messy life—is messing with your value, here’s some great truth for you:
Your value is built in.
You are a masterpiece, bearing the fingerprints and signature of God. You are created in His image to reflect His beauty and strength to others. You are created in His image in order to enjoy Him with true delight and pleasure.
Your identity is not found in your good looks or your talents or your personality or your accomplishments. If you are in covenant with Christ, then you have the most fantastic identity possible:
“I am His.”
You belong to Christ as His beloved. You are His.
“I am His.”
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
(Isaiah 43:1, HCSB)
You are deeply desired, passionately pursued, forever cherished.
“The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
(Zephaniah 3:17, NIV, NLT)
You belong to One who knows you—the real you. He knows everything about you; and in the midst of all the knowing, He loves you. He is unfailing in His commitment to you, and He is unwavering in His devotion. He is your intimate friend, your Gentle Shepherd, and your awesomely perfect God.
“My beloved is mine and I am his.”
(Song of Songs 2:16, NIV)
“I am His.”
All the circumstances of your life are just props for this great Love story. Messy closets, difficult relationships, fussy babies, demanding work assignments, physical challenges, financial pressures—all of these are backdrops for living out the truth that you are His beloved.
Made in His image, you can reflect Him in your circumstances. Your goal is no longer to control circumstances or to impress people. God has established your value, and He is the One who controls the details of your life for you.
You can focus on being impressed with Him. He is the One who will make your name great (Genesis 12:2), and He is the One who will share His glory with you (2 Thessalonians 2:14, Romans 8:17).
Deeply and perfectly loved by Him, you can walk through this day with the goal of loving Him back, following His guidance. That might mean cleaning a closet. Or it might mean shoving another stray shoe back into that closet and just trying to get the door to close, for now.
But your value is unchanging: you are priceless.
And your identity is solid: you are His.
If you are interested in learning more about who you are and what you’re worth, you will enjoy reading “Beautiful and Beloved,” the first chapter in Devoted: Pressing in to Know Christ More.
0 Comments