Have you ever considered that it’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for?
Those are not my words. They came from the apostle Paul (Ephesians 1:11 MSG).
For some reason the subject of identity is weighing heavily upon me these days.
Last Friday, I cited the block of Scripture where Jesus was tempted by Satan. You may recall that the Trickster used as his ploy the clever tactic of attempting to undermine Jesus’ identity. Twice he says, “If you are the Son of God…(Matthew 4:3 & 6).”
In other words, “If you are really who you claim to be, you can turn those stones to bread and jump off this roof! By coercing Jesus to question his identity, Satan was beginning the process of chipping away at Christ’s foundation.
Of course, Jesus never fell for this ruse. He replied, “Get out of here, Satan. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him (Matthew 4:10 NLT).’”
Similarly, culture attempts to undermine our foundation by oozing a little doubt into the equation. At times, I will admit it is difficult to see what God is doing in our lives.
What about those times when it feels as if we are swimming against the current and we are the only ones marching in our particular direction? Could all those other people be wrong?
Much of the time we must let go and simply trust that if we are faithful to our witness, the light will inevitably come on; and, Christ will provide for our continual growth.
Johnny Cash had the right idea:
Well I’m on my way to glory land and I shall not be moved.
On my way to glory land I shall not be moved.
I’m like a tree that’s planted by the water;
I shall not be moved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kujL_wV2c8
(I Shall Not Be Moved, Johnny Cash, My Mother’s Hymn Book, 2004.)
That hymn of course is based upon Jeremiah 17:8 and goes on to say:
(The tree) does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit. (NIV)
Holding on to our identity as Followers of Christ is crucial if we are to produce fruit that will live on, long after we have passed from this world. We might even go so far as to say that identity is everything.
We cannot settle for less life than a holy calling:
I’m captured by your holy calling,
Set me apart.
I know you are drawing me to you.
Lead me Lord, I pray.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgXL3y9RIbI
(Potter’s Hand, Darlene Zschech, 1998)
It’s awfully difficult to stand before any tree and watch it grow right before our eyes. Serving Christ can be like that.
But if we stay the course…if we remain firmly planted in good soil and practice effective self-care, we’ll emerge as a great oak. Our rearview mirrors will reflect growth, opportunities and much fruit.
You might say that we are upwardly mobile. Never settle for less than God’s vision. It’s who we are!