Who Am I?

April 20, 2023

Who Am I!

One of the greatest temptations for those who live in the Midwest is to define ourselves by what we do rather than who we are.  During the last nine months, I have discovered I have fallen victim to this temptation more often than I realized. 

Sometimes it is pretty easy to believe my identity, my worth, and my acceptance are mostly based on my position at work, my power in the community, or my situation at home. 

The path is easy that leads me to focus on my influence, my reputation, or my prominence. 

The path is easy that leads me to focus on my importance, my title, or my rank. 

The path is easy that leads me to focus on my status, my significance, or my standing.

The path is easy because so many people about whom I care are following that path and are encouraging me to do the same.  The path is also easy because I find it easier to focus on me rather than focus on what Jesus says about me. 

As long as things are growing and expanding, very few people question whether this path of doing more and more and more leads to health, wholeness, or holiness.

In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus says; “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.  For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Jesus says the easy path may not be the way that leads to real life.  The popular path may not be the road that leads to real love.  The comfortable path may not be the way that leads to the most precious gifts Jesus wants to give.

My retirement has been a wake-up call of sorts.  So much of my work before retirement was focused on what I was doing for other people, for the church, and for Jesus.  I did not realize how often I became so focused on what I was doing and that I missed the joy of knowing I was a child of God.

In this first phase of retirement, I am learning to focus more upon being a beloved child of God rather than always following the path of doing something for God.  I confess it is not easy; I am wired to do things!

Let me say it another way; God is not looking for us to do more, God is looking for more of us.  For those who are wired a little more like me, here is another way to state the truth.

God’s grace for me is not based on my performance; God’s grace for me is based on God’s love. 

A few years ago, Lauren Daigle say a song titled, “You Say.”  I listened to the song again earlier this week and was convicted of its simple truth.  I (and you!) am not defined by what I do, what my circumstances are today, or how I feel about myself today.  I am defined by Jesus’ love for me.  Here is the chorus of Lauren’s song.

“You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don’t belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe
Oh, I believe
What You say of me
I believe”

               (Songwriters: Bebo Norman / Jason Ingram / Michael Donehey / Paul Mabury / Lauren Daigle)

When I believe what Jesus says of me rather than run down the path of defining myself by what I do, the Holy Spirit pours more peace, more joy, and more love into my life.  My heart responds by taking delight in the Lord for loving me and accepting me just as I am today.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug