Finding Our Identity in Christ Alone - The Crosswalk Devotional - December 3
Finding Our Identity in Christ Alone
By Laura Bailey
Bible Reading
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life and deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Where you have envy and selfish ambition, you find disorder and every evil practice there. But the wisdom from heaven is first pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” - James 3:13-17
Have you ever thought maybe you should just break up with your idea of success?” These words quickly rolled off my tongue as I listened to my friend outline all the “new” things she would do to be more productive this year. “Just Stop!” I gently instructed. “Stop with all the to-do lists, stop with the new phrases to live by, and just stop trying to be anything more than a follower of Christ.”
Later that evening, in a quiet house, my mind raced. Who am I to advise about feeling valuable when I continually criticize myself over my lack of productivity?
Over the past two years, my emotions have bounced back and forth like a ping-pong ball between true contentment and self-loathing. Usually, on Mondays, after church on Sunday, I’m at peace staying at home with my children, knowing I am investing in their lives. But by Tuesday, I scolded myself for napping with my two-year-old and failing to wash and dry even one load of clothes. If lucky, these battles are waged on different days, but often, I beat myself up for hours on end.
You may wonder why I am so hard on myself. I tie my purpose and self-worth to productivity and achievement. I simply possess an unrealistic view of what I should accomplish on any given day/month/ year and over a lifetime, compulsively turning even the most minor task into a benchmark, a contest, or a future success story.
Perhaps you don’t relate to what I’ve just expressed about myself. Your value isn’t anchored in achievements or accolades; nonetheless, there is something. There is something that defines your self-worth and shapes your life, making you feel valuable, appreciated, and, above all, unique. On the flip side, this very thing by which you measure yourself also fills you with doubt and despair. Maybe it’s one of these areas?
A relationship?
A lifestyle?
Children?
A dress size?
One day, in sharing my struggle with my pastor, I confessed, “I truly want to have the mind of Christ, to live according to His will, to honor Him, but honestly, I feel like most days are a waste of time. I can’t stop thinking that I am squandering my talents at home, that I was made for so much more, so why doesn’t the Lord give me more?”
My pastor opened his Bible and read from James 3:13-17, “ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life and deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Where you have envy and selfish ambition, you find disorder and every evil practice there. But the wisdom from heaven is first pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
I have shared my struggle in hopes that you will face yours, share it with someone you trust, and ask for prayer as you deal with it. Start with a filter-free lens as you look deep into your heart. Ask yourself the hard questions, and acknowledge the hurts and wounds that, if opened, will most certainly bleed. Seek forgiveness. Be open to God’s work in your life, even when He is quiet and seems far off. Something revealed to me recently is that God may be using this season of my life, this time of inner conflict, to heal me. It’s funny because I never saw my desire for success, achievement, and productivity as a form of brokenness or weakness. Paul tells us in Corinthians that strength comes from weakness. But, not our strength, but Christ’s.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Do you struggle with your sense of identity or self-worth? Find a friend, a pastor, or a counselor and share your burdens. My prayer for you and me is that God will open our hearts, ease our minds, and renew our spirits to assure that we are His and are valuable for simply being in Him.
Further Reading:
10 Biblical Truths about Your Identity in Christ
1 Peter 2:9
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/elisa-ph
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