Identity. Who are you? What do you want in life? Where do you want to end up? All of these questions we ask when we try to find out identity. For so long, I know I’ve struggled to answers these questions—especially being a college student.
I’ve always been confident in my morals and values, but that doesn’t mean that I’ve never struggled with my identity. Society and culture have posed such a threat on today’s youth. No wonder people are so self-conscious all the time. There is always a new iPhone that’s coming out, a new seven day diet that will magically get rid of those extra pounds, the newest fashion trends, etc. Society preaches at us to be the best. Admittedly, I’ve fallen into this trap time after time. I’ve searched for value in material things, I’ve struggled with how I look, and it shifted my mind to believing the lie that I wasn’t good enough. I beat myself up, thinking that “I don’t look as good as her”, or “if I just do this workout, maybe I would look like that”. My view has been skewed from what God truly thinks about me.
God tells us that we are loved and adored. God says that as women, we are strong, courageous, virtuous, worth more than precious stones. Men are brave, courageous, strong leaders, worthy. Following Jesus is undoubtedly the best decision I’ve ever made. When I get stuck believing this sick lie that I’m not good enough, I have Jesus to remind me who I am, and where I am going.
Of course, I have insecurities, I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m doing my best. Waking up every morning, I have to choose if I will believe this cultural lie or being grounded in truth. Because of my sinful, human nature, I fall and I choose the lie of the enemy, but thankfully, I am given grace, love and reassurance that I am good enough; that “I am fearfully, and wonderfully made.”
So next time you start doubting yourself, the next time you feel unworthy, the next time you start to believe the lie, remind yourself that there’s probably someone else feeling the exact same way. Kick those lies and bad thoughts out of your mind without apology. As a member of the body of Christ, I am reminded that I am loved, cherished, adored and valued. My identity is no longer in things that will eventually go out of style, or things that aren’t meaningful, but it is in the fullness of God.
Bob Goff, the New York Times Best Selling author sums it up in this fabulous quote:
“Every day God invites us on the same kind of adventure. It's not a trip where He sends us a rigid itinerary, He simply invites us. God asks what it is He's made us to love, what it is that captures our attention, what feeds that deep indescribable need of our souls to experience the richness of the world He made. And then, leaning over us, He whispers, ‘Let's go do that together.’”
Lets do that together. Let’s start with realizing that identity isn’t a checklist, but a daily pursuit of love and truth.
