The Dream of You: A 5-Day YouVersion By Jo SaxtonНамуна

Letting Go

If personal experiences, the interruptions of life, and the voices of those around you have poisoned who you really are, how can you find out your true identity? You know the “right” answer. Knowing Jesus forms the basis of your identity, and having a personal knowledge of Him changes everything.… Doesn’t it?

For many of us, knowing Jesus has not pointed the way to finding out who we truly are. Our identity in Christ becomes yet another task to add to an overcrowded list of jobs to get done:

Wash the car.

Fold the laundry.

Pick up prescriptions.

Be like Jesus.

Before we know it, a life-changing, heart-transforming, identity-defining relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ is reduced to a formulaic “to achieve” list. The list often includes attending church regularly, giving money and time, maintaining personal piety and devotion, and helping others. These activities are good, even great things. It’s just that these are things to do. They are not who you are. 

When our identity in Christ is reduced to a checklist, it’s no wonder the connection between our faith and our identity is a big disconnect.

Thankfully, God sees you from a completely different vantage point. He doesn’t shame you for the past or condemn you for your weaknesses. He breaks the chains of all that controlled you and limited your identity. He redeems your true identity, which your life experiences interrupted and the mixed messages of the world crushed. He even redeems the dreams you had of the person you hoped to become. 

Discover the depth of your identity in Christ as you let go of the old life of trying to prove yourself worthy, of striving to measure up to an imposed standard. Embrace your covenant relationship in all its fullness. Invite God into your past life experiences and ask Him to break you free from the debts, the brokenness, and the wasted years. It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ, He had His eye on us. He had designs on us for glorious living. Discover how He can redeem your Dream of You.

What is the difference between seeing relationship with Christ as something to “do” and living out a connection between your faith and your identity?