Identity in Christ

Identity. Lately that seems to have become a loaded word. Most of the time, it’s what gender or non-gender we identify as. But, I realize that we identify as much more than that. If you think about it, you probably identify as a son or a daughter, parent or sibling. Then you might identify as something work-related like a teacher, plumber, scientist, engineer, nurse, accountant, receptionist, cashier, IT tech or whatever. Sometimes we even identify as customers of Fred Meyer or Taco Bell. I know that there are many, many other ways that we identify with things or people. Still, we are so much more than how we feel we identify while here on earth.

Many of you know that my mother-in-law is nearing the end of her life here on earth. There is one thing that I have been thinking about constantly throughout this battle. Her identity as a daughter or mom, receptionist or manager, renter or owner doesn’t ultimately matter. It’s not the fact that she identifies as an interior designer or safe driver that matters either. No, none of those identities make a hill of beans. As she gets closer to death, the only identity that matters is not found in the things of this world or in what she has done. Her identity as a child of the Most High God is the only identity that matters for her life both now and forevermore! Her identity as an heir of the one Who saved her soul and Who guarantees her safe passage to paradise is the only one that makes a difference.

Someday in the future, you will have to ask yourself the very same question that Ruthie has, “Is my identity found in the One that matters eternally?”

Ivan