Identity - Who tells you who you are?

I want to work hard at the things that my father, the King, gives me to do. I want to own them and pursue them with gusto but, I don't want them to own me or define me. I want to engage in the assignments that I am given to the best of my abilities and energies. But the tasks, roles and assignments can't be about my identity. When it becomes about my identity I lose perspective. Trying to prove myself through what I do distorts my thought and emotions. When that happens I lose my ability to think clearly and rationally. Then anxiety and fear take over and I am trashed.

As my identity is defined by my relationship with God I can live more freely and lightly as Jesus promised...

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Mat 11)

Yea, that sounds good.

Inside World

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. (Rom 12)

We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good time with him. (Rom 8)

God's faithful love, gifts, grace and favor are not so much to change our external circumstances but more to change who we are on the inside. Our father wants us to live joyful, fulfilling lives. But those things are the fruit of a healthy inside world not "perfect" circumstances (outside world).

You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. (Mat 5)

Pete Wilson, senior pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN wrote this in a recent article in Relevant magazine:

"I’ve come to believe meaning and hope are more often found in embracing the difficulties inherent in a plan B rather than investing time and energy trying to get back to plan A. This isn’t an easy truth for anybody to learn. But sometimes God isn’t so much looking to give us a “miracle” in the form of changed circumstances, but is instead more interested in using those hard circumstances to change us—our goals, dreams, perspectives and meaning." Click HERE to see the full article.

Long before he laid down earth's foundations he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love (Eph 1)

I believe that everything he is doing in me and for me is motivated and accomplish by his love for me.

Keep Open House

Do you lower your voice to keep non-Christians from hearing a conversation that you are having with another believer? Why? Is it because you think they would not understand? Is it because you would be embarrassed for them to hear your conversation? Are you embarrassed about your relationship with God or your religion?

I want to be comfortable with who I am and my relationship with God. Even in front of others that may not "understand". That is not possible if I am living some sort of goofy religious lifestyle. I want to be real and honest so that I can fulfill my purpose in being here.

Jesus said "Let me tell you why you are here... (salt and light)... Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. (Mat. 5)

I don't think that we should go out of our way to air all of our dirty laundry for the world to see just for the sake of being open. But, we should allow who we are to be seen, warts and all, so that others will see that we serve a loving, graceful and generous father who loves us through it all.

I am not perfect but I am perfectly loved by a perfect father. That is something worth being open about.