Today I had a revelation.  

Matt and I had a tiff this morning.  It was silly really but it made me realize an important truth about my marriage and ultimately my relationship with God.  A belief I had in the back of my mind surfaced during this altercation...and good thing it did because the belief was a total lie.  Here I was, walking around believing that my husband thought that I was annoying.  And although I didn't believe that he felt that way all the time, I did believe that he felt that way most of the time.  In effect, I believed that all people feel that way about me.  Now I put a lot of stock in what my husband believes about me.  I consider it truth...a pretty all encompassing truth.  

So here's my theory.  I believe that all people, whether they care to admit it or not, act out of what they believe-could be what they believe about themselves or what they think others believe about them.  Ultimately, the opinion they care about the most is what will govern their actions. For example, if you believe that you are smart, you will be confident in your knowledge and speak easily out of that.  If you believe that you are funny, you will be confident in telling jokes and making people laugh.  If you believe that you are a good speaker, you will have no problem speaking in front of other people.  

If your identity is wrapped up in what you think others believe about you, then that is what your actions will reflect.  For example, if you believe that other people think you are the life of the party, then you will feel obligated to be the life of the party wherever you go.  If you believe that other people think you are shy, you won't speak up in front of others.  If you believe that other people don't like you, you are not likely to reach out to them or to make friends easily.  My point is, whatever opinion matters most to you is going to ultimately determine what you believe about yourself.  Who you are.  Your identity.  

What if you cared most of all about what God says about you?  About who He says you are and what He has called you to be?  What if we asked our children what God says about them?  What if we told them that God called them to be holy and pure, heirs to a great promise and a great treasure in heaven that neither moths nor rust can destroy and thieves cannot steal?  What if we lived each day, knowing that we are loved, highly favored, forgiven, and not falling in and out of grace?  Knowing that we are royalty, priests, saints, members of the body of Christ?  What if we walked around fully aware of the powerful presence of God in our lives,  knowing that God has created us to do good works which He has prepared for us? I believe that if we are truly grounded in our identity in Christ and His truth, there is nothing that can hold us back from pouring out the love of Christ and seeing the world changed.  

In 1 Cor 13 it says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:11, 12 NASB

Our true identity is found in Jesus Christ.  One day we will see Him face to face and we will know Him fully and we will know who we are fully.  But until then, we seek Him and seek to know more about who Christ is and what He says about us in His living and enduring word.  It is here we find our true identity.  And when we know who we are, then we will truly be able to RISE UP and see this world changed for the kingdom of God.