The Higher PlaceSample

The climber’s identity

Talking about our ascent to a higher place can be interpreted as our journey into the promised land where we will experience the fulfillment of God's promises. One of the elements needed in this process is obedience as it is closely related to worship and sacrifice. This is also what Abraham exemplified for us in Genesis 22, where God's promise was fulfilled when Abraham obeyed to offer up his son, Isaac.

Abraham's obedience was based on his correct knowledge of his identity as someone who belongs to the Lord. Even though he had to make such a big sacrifice – because he had to sacrifice his son - Abraham was brave and willing to do this because he knew God personally as a Father who loved him. Sometimes the focus of our identity is on ourselves such as our character, personality, strengths, weaknesses, and what we can and cannot do, without looking at our deepest identity as someone beloved to the Father who always wants to plan the best for us and cares about every single aspect of our lives.

Often the obstacle for us to be able to climb to a higher place is ourselves. We prefer to hold on tight to what holds us in our lives and find it impossible to leave it to God. We sometimes forget that we belong to God who loves us as much as the apple of His eye. Our identity is secure in God.

We need to know that God the Father who saw Abraham's sacrifice and fulfilled His promises in Abraham's life is the same God who loves us and knows what is best for our lives. Never doubt His love and plans for us. Always remember that our identity is in God. Let’s put everything into His hands and go up to God's mountain to witness His miracle manifest in our lives!

Reflection:

Have you put your whole life into God's hands and know your identity in God?