Since I began in ministry, I have continually sought opportunities to learn and grow in my relationship with God. I had an opportunity a few months back to co-lead a Radical Mentoring Group through my church.
This group has been a blessing and has taught me the need to be intentional in opening my eyes and shifting my perspective. I want to see myself and others from God’s perspective, not the world’s perspective.
We have monthly homework for our radical mentoring group. One part of the homework is reading a book and creating a summary of the book to share with each other. The last book we read was Identity Theft - Reclaiming the Truth of Who We Are in Christ.
What a powerful book. Each chapter breaks down who we are in Christ and how we see ourselves through:
1. Identity theft: defining self with limited categories.
2. Identity truth: finding our identity in Him.
3. Identity transformed: stripping me of all things that I may reach for instead of Him.
Who am I?
In the past I defined who I am as someone who was lost and difficult to love. Someone who was a disappointment to others and unsure of herself. Someone who wanted to make everyone else happy, even at the expense of her own happiness.
As I reach to see who I am through identity truth and transformation, I have learned to see myself ultimately for who I am!
Who I am is someone in desperate need of His saving grace as I fight my enemies…the world, the flesh, and the devil.
The world will continually try to steal my identity; and because of His grace, even when I fall, because I am His beloved child, I can rest in Him. I was made new in Him the moment I came to faith in Him.
This is the truth of who I am!
I am His beloved child. I am made new in Him. I am called to carry the light of Jesus in this world.
Who are you? How do you define yourself?
Do you know that the truth of who I am is the truth of who you are too?
The world points its fingers at us. God doesn’t point fingers. He holds out His hands to support us, encourage us and love us.
If you are searching for who you are in Christ, I encourage you to read Identity Theft. Don’t let the world, the flesh and the devil steal your identity. Find the truth of who you are and be transformed by His amazing grace!
I will continue to be on a journey of finding my destiny, but I am so grateful for the opportunities He puts before me to open my eyes to the truth of who I am.
With love and joy,
Laura Pedersen