Living a Significant Lifeনমুনা

My daughter, Addie, has Down Syndrome.

Her genetics influence everything about her life in both affirming and challenging ways. But one thing I refuse to do is allow her diagnosis to become her identity. She’s not defined by her challenges. Her true self is not determined by her circumstances. And neither is yours.

But it can be really challenging to properly root our identities deeply into the heart of Christ and not on external things. Our experiences, our pains, our limitations, and our frailties are constantly grappling for the power to render an identity verdict in our lives: GUILTY of being insignificant.

Wrestling with my identity has been one of my greatest challenges. I used to tell myself destructive stories, linking my worth to external successes. Believing that I had to do it all and make everything happen left me feeling unworthy when I couldn’t deliver constant achievements. I bought into a lie that kept me trapped in a never-ending cycle: be a WINNER or you’ll never be WORTHY.

But then I asked myself a crucial question: "Who is defining me?" When the story you tell yourself is destructive or shuts you down, you can be confident the author is not God. You have an Enemy who accuses you all day long, and his agenda is to corrupt and distort your identity with lies. But the path to breaking free from his indictments begins by replacing those destructive thoughts with the truth of God's Word.

2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us that we can demolish every deceptive lie about our identities that opposes God. We have the authority to take our every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. Our true identity is not based on achievements or external validation; it’s grounded in Jesus and what He has done. When we let our identity be shaped by Him, we no longer need to prove ourselves. Christ is our proof.

If you feel like your identity has been stolen, or like me, believed it had to be attained externally, let me point you to the way forward today. His Word is the ultimate truth–it IS the Rock on which we stand. And when we anchor our identity in Christ, our solid Rock, we can be free of the striving burden. We are defined by our divine Creator.

Your true identity rests in being a child of God, created with purpose and love, empowered by His Spirit, at peace in the Father’s promises. You don't have to chase after the world's version of significance or allow its labels or verdicts to define you. Instead, embrace the truth that in Christ, you are already complete, cherished, and valued beyond measure.

Today, as you navigate your own journey of identity formation, remember that God's truth outweighs any destructive thought or narrative. Take hold of every thought–make them your captives. Command your thoughts to be obedient to Christ. Embrace your true identity in Him, for in Christ, you are fearfully and wonderfully made…significant.

REFLECTION:

What are some specific steps you can take today to root yourself more deeply in Christ rather than in achievements or circumstances?