When my friends aren’t calling me “Schiffdeck” or “Young Pup,” my nickname is “Babygirl.” I’ll admit it: I have a thing for rap music. This might come as a surprise to most, considering I look nothing like your typical hardcore rapper. Keep in mind: looks are deceiving. In fact, my skills rival Lil’ Wayne, depending on how much I practice. I recently discovered the absolute best thing since sliced bread in the world of rap music: Lecrae. No longer do I have to worry about selecting the “clean” version of a specific song, thanks Lecrae’s status as a Christian rapper. His songs are filled with uplifting messages about missions, the gospel, and my personal favorite, our identity. In the song “Identity,” the chorus goes a little something like this:
I’m not the shoes I wear.
I’m not the clothes I buy.
I’m not the house I live in.
I’m not the car I drive.
I’m not the job I work.
You can’t define my worth,
by nothing on God’s green earth.
My identity is found in Christ, found in Christ.
(here’s the entire song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7W4I0tQZps)
Our identity is a constant worry for most people. We want to participate in the “right” things, hang out with the “right” people, and create the “right” legacy so we will never be forgotten. Our identities are quickly made into what we spend our time doing. As an example, some of my identities might be an “AZD member,” “agricultural education major,” or “Alyson’s dorky friend.” As awesome as those things are, we can never be fully satisfied with an identity because that doesn’t encompass all of our lives.
In fact, who hasn’t felt some frustration from their identity? My teammate Johanna and I were so incredibly excited to serve as state FFA officers and loved that part of our identity, however, we were just talking the other day about how frustrating it is when others don’t see past that one part of our life into the other things that make us unique. Everyone can relate to the frustration of “identity confusion,” whether it is confusion about someone else’s identity, or even your own.
The fact of the matter is, there is only one identity that we can have that is perfect, all-encompassing, and eternal. But the catch is: this identity is not found in a career, organization, or even group of friends. Going back to my boy Lecrae’s widom: this identity is found in Christ.
Right now you’re asking, “How on earth can we identify ourselves with Christ? We’re imperfect humans!” You’re exactly right. On our own, our identities are far from perfect, even if we strive for “good” qualities. An identity that is is Christ is found through complete submission of our lives to Him. An individual whose identity is in Christ has a personal relationship with Him and through that relationship adapts His character!
Check it out-- In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul describes this identity as “a new creation. The old is completely gone, and the new has come.”
I am God’s Child... (John 1:12- “... to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.”)
I’m not the shoes I wear.
I’m not the clothes I buy.
I’m not the house I live in.
I’m not the car I drive.
I’m not the job I work.
You can’t define my worth,
by nothing on God’s green earth.
My identity is found in Christ, found in Christ.
(here’s the entire song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7W4I0tQZps)
Our identity is a constant worry for most people. We want to participate in the “right” things, hang out with the “right” people, and create the “right” legacy so we will never be forgotten. Our identities are quickly made into what we spend our time doing. As an example, some of my identities might be an “AZD member,” “agricultural education major,” or “Alyson’s dorky friend.” As awesome as those things are, we can never be fully satisfied with an identity because that doesn’t encompass all of our lives.
In fact, who hasn’t felt some frustration from their identity? My teammate Johanna and I were so incredibly excited to serve as state FFA officers and loved that part of our identity, however, we were just talking the other day about how frustrating it is when others don’t see past that one part of our life into the other things that make us unique. Everyone can relate to the frustration of “identity confusion,” whether it is confusion about someone else’s identity, or even your own.
The fact of the matter is, there is only one identity that we can have that is perfect, all-encompassing, and eternal. But the catch is: this identity is not found in a career, organization, or even group of friends. Going back to my boy Lecrae’s widom: this identity is found in Christ.
Right now you’re asking, “How on earth can we identify ourselves with Christ? We’re imperfect humans!” You’re exactly right. On our own, our identities are far from perfect, even if we strive for “good” qualities. An identity that is is Christ is found through complete submission of our lives to Him. An individual whose identity is in Christ has a personal relationship with Him and through that relationship adapts His character!
Check it out-- In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul describes this identity as “a new creation. The old is completely gone, and the new has come.”
The book of Ephesians is full of descriptions of our “new identity.” Eph. 4:22-23 says that “you were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self... and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” So according to this verse, we can be like GOD! That’s as classy of an identity as we can possibly get!
There are countless other places in the Bible that point out all of the qualities of our “new identity.” Here are just a few:
I am God’s Child... (John 1:12- “... to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.”)
I am powerful, loving, and disciplined... (2 Timothy 1:7- “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”)
I am secure... (Ephesians 2:20- “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.”)
I have peace... (Ephesians 2:14- “For he himself is our peace...”)
More qualities of our identity can be found here: (http://www.persevering.org/perceiv.html)
“I’m not the clothes I wear, I’m not the car I drive...” Whatever it is we are currently known for, we can all find our identities in Christ if we surrender our lives to him. The rewards of this identity include the short-term benefits of peace, a purpose in life, and a great character, but the eternal reward is that everlasting relationship with our Savior, which is infinitely priceless. If you haven’t already found your identity in Christ, I encourage you to pursue the most rewarding identity imaginable!
