Sometimes we get carried away with labels. Our status always has to be known by the world. We label our friendships, our relationships. We distinguish our job title, our degree, what model our car is, the “journey” we are on. We want to rave to friends and family of our accomplishments, of how far we have come, about our ambitious desires and dreams. We will even go as far as putting others down to elevate ourselves!
“Just promoted to Assistant Manager!”
“Completed my Associates of Arts, working toward my Bachelor’s in Communication.”
“Jimmy and I are officially together, we are couple status!”
“Bought a brand stinkin new 2017 Chevy Cruze LTZ in cherry red!”
Our society has become so focused on trying to claim what is ours and broadcast just how fabulous we are by what we own or how many accomplishments we have. When we lose those material items, or our bestie for life drifts away we feel lost. When this happens we struggle to define just who it is we are, what we are worth, and what distinguishes us from the rest of the billions of faces on this GIANT planet. We have invested so much of who we are into what we do and who we know, rather than what has been done for us and how much we are loved by the father.
Going into adulthood and trying to establish my being, while being rooted in Christ, has shown to be quite the challenge. After a close friend made herself distant, I started to question how come and put the blame on myself. I thought I was not enough. After breaking up with my first love, I felt alone and broken, to say the least. It has taken me an extra year to get my Bachelor’s and I was feeling defeated about it for the longest time.
I am reading through a 31-day devotional and it went into the topic of identity. It mentioned the places we stake our identity and how it can make a negative effect on our true self. Some of the areas mentioned were, our performance, approval of others, feelings, health, and our past/shortcomings. I can honestly say I have fallen victim to all of these.
After each passage there is a scripture (thank da Lord) to enable the reader to think deeper, and really place God’s truth in our hearts. The verse included was Isaiah 62: 2-3, which says,
“The nations will see your vindication,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”
This passage stopped my heart. I had been feeling alone, behind the eight-ball, without a friend, and without hope for a bright future. I had allowed life to get me down, I had allowed for God’s promises to be snuffed out by the world’s empty lies. The verse spoke to be on many levels. The first verse mentioned our vindication, meaning God will defend us against opposition, uphold and justify us, and clear us of all blame. This verse alone spoke to me deeply. Of all the times I have fallen short, the times I have questioned or blamed God, the times I have been hurtful He forgives me & will defend me against my enemies. He still has great purpose for me, He still wants me.
The next bit says that I will be called by a new name. No matter how many labels I have attached to my being, how many times I have identified with worldly materials, God is going to give me a new name from His very mouth. I am a new creation in His hands, no matter where I have been. This truly melts my heart, He has no reason to love me, no reason to hold onto me, no reason to find any sort of value in me, yet He does still. Not only will I be made brand stinkin’ new, but I will be a crown of splendor. SPLENDOR people! He will take away all the ugly parts of me and replace them with fancy jewels, gold pieces, intricate design, bold colors, glitter on glitter yall! I will go from a sorry mess to a treasure in the hands of God. God is holding onto US. His desire for US doesn’t depend on how righteous we are, but on His pure love for US, and how good HE IS.
