Identity Assurance
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13 v 3-5
Jesus had a strong sense of identity and purpose. That strong sense of identity did not make him puffed up, remote and proud. Rather, it prompted his actions; because his purpose in life was tied up inextricably with his identity.
A strong sense of identity and purpose is important for us too. Our identity is as a loved child of God. This means we have access to forgiveness, and to be made new. That in turn means we have hope for the future – an assurance of eternal life. This opens our lives up to mission and purpose. Identity assurance helps us live a life of service as Jesus did, with gratitude for what we’ve been called to be and do.
I find that when I remind myself of my identity, as a loved child of God, service and purpose comes so much more easily. It flows out of a different place. Outside of that, my service comes out of a sense of obligation – often with resentment attached! I’ve heard that scenario described as an attitude of “Must I?”
Identity assurance helps us have an attitude adjustment, so that our response can be “May I?”, rather than “Must I?!”
Let’s remind ourselves today: we are loved children of God. We have a hope, a future, a mission and a purpose. With gratitude, let us rise up to give service with a smile; because we know Who we are and where we are going.
With love,
Sharon
ThinkyThings 