Scared To Be KnownSample

By Jennifer McGhee

Has anyone ever asked you to describe yourself? Do you describe yourself by your family members, where you go to school, where you work, how many kids you have, who you’re married to? I used to hate that question, because I had no idea how to answer. Everything I came up with to describe me felt insignificant or connected to someone else. 

The root of my hate for that question is that I was searching for significance and value in all the wrong places. I found myself working hard to prove my worth to those around me. I did all I could to make sure I met expectations and became whoever anyone needed me to be. It was exhausting and fleeting. In the end, I was left feeling insecure. 

This distorted view I had of myself flowed over into all areas of my life—my work, my relationships with others, and my relationship with my heavenly Father. 

Colossians 2:10 tells us that in Christ we have been brought to fullness. There is so much hope and freedom found in this verse. By no work of our own, we are brought to complete fullness through Jesus. We are fully worthy, fully valuable, and fully significant in the eyes of our heavenly Father. 

Walking in the fullness of Christ takes faith and the renewing of our minds. Our identity must shift from how we perceive ourselves to how our heavenly Father sees us. We are loved, secure, confident, valued, full people in an eternal relationship with our heavenly Father. We also just happen to be wives, husbands, teachers, executives, mothers, fathers, and friends. Our identity is found fully in him. 

Questions for Reflection:

· How have you answered the question about describing yourself? 

· What are you currently doing to prove your value and worth to those around you?

· What steps can you take today to renew your mind and rest in the fullness you have received through Jesus Christ?