Our Identity is Clear

My dear friends and colleagues, Jolene Boyer and Gerald Boyer, gave a most delightful “Ice Cream Sundaes on Sunday” wedding celebration for us. I volunteer with them at the Vincentian Family Center here in Austin. 

Several other co-workers were also at this yummy and lovely celebration and it blessed Carl and me so much. We felt the love!   We all find delight in serving God’s people – many of whom are homeless, but we don’t label them “homeless”. They are beloved children of God and that’s how we treat them.

I know labels. Many high fashion ones are often found in clothing that has been donated to the family center. Today’s blog is more about the labels we seem to own. “I’m ADD, OCD, depressed, disabled, unhappy, lonely, handicapped, diabetic …”

The list goes on and on. We throw out labels as if they are our deepest sense of identity. We believe the lie that the label defines us.

Years ago, my Bryson was diagnosed with dyslexia. We never defined him by that diagnosis – especially knowing with God AND devoted teachers – nothing is impossible. His life was just as rewarding as anyone else’s: full of vision, positivity, love, and hope. And he brought positivity, love, and hope to everyone he encountered. And, BOOM, suddenly, in his high school sophomore year, he became an “A” student. Thanks be to God!

Labels can misappropriate our identities. When we don’t view our identity through a label, we’re able to find ways to thrive despite whatever label we are living under. This mindset helps us turn from despair to hope in action.

I am a doting grandmother.  I love each of my grands who are each one completely different than the other.  Each of them once asked: “Am I your favorite?”  My one girl, Alexia, made it clear when she gave me a mug with our pictures on it. It read: “My favorite grandchild gave me this mug!”   

“Favorite” is a label we shouldn’t have when it comes to our family members or friends.  “Favorite” is a divider.  But I like to think I am one of God’s favorites though I know He has no favorites. Each of us is His beloved child.   

Labels don’t define us. Staring into a mirror might show us what we look like in the moment, but it cannot show us who we are or where we’re going. Our faith leads us way beyond the trappings of ourselves and into an identity rooted in something solid, immovable — God Himself. Identity in Him is trustworthy and unchanging.

When I need to be reminded of my true identity, I read this list of phrases that tell me the truth about who God says I am:

I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am a friend of Jesus. (John 15:15)
I am chosen and loved. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
I am God’s possession. (Titus 2: 14)
I am a light in the world. (Matthew 5:14-15)
I am loved by God. (1 John 4:10)

Let’s take a moment to ask God to help us root ourselves in that identity. With an identity rooted in our God Who gives wisdom, strength, and love, we can go out into the world, secure and confident in who we really are.