Identity. Perhaps the greatest internal struggle for humanity is securing the answer to the identity question. Many would say, What question? My greatest passion is to help individuals become assured of this core value. The writer of Proverbs states: “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” (4:23). And, “…as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” (23:7).
When it comes to the personal, financial and privacy issues the identity must be robustly protected, even guarded. New companies like “LifeLock” have arisen to serve this security need. Identity thieves have been troublesome throughout history. In digitizing a vast portion of personal information and making it available on-line modern technology and the marketplace has given thieves new fields to dig in. It happened to us one time. Someone in Italy made a purchase of $750.00 using my debit card. I wasn’t aware of it until the proof showed up on my statement. It’s probably happened to you, too!
Identity thieves are after the big stuff. They are not after the Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus figures on your porch! They are looking for the greater wealth. The thief has one motivation: gain access to the deeper levels of your worth and credibility. If they are able to crack the code on your privacy–the camel has its nose under the tent. Ultimately leaving you and me feeling robbed, violated and at varying levels “worth-less-ness”.
Personal identity has an affect on my daily affairs aside from the financial and privacy concerns. Identity is the garden from which all choices and thoughts grow; and therefore attitudes and behaviors become the fruit of the core identity. The ground of my identity is fertile and abundant. It will bring into being the realities of my life, realities even more substantial than the financial matters. Often, worth in wealth is the result of identity bearing fruit of my choices and attitudes about wealth.
There are many dumb thieves out there who have gotten caught with their hands on the goods. But identity thieves are a sophisticated bunch. They know where the deeper stuff is. They know where the valuable stuff is and how to dig it out. If you struggle with a question of Identity it may be because the thief, the robber of your spiritual inheritance in Christ has been messing with you. He is not a petty thief taking candy bars off the shelf. He is not after the small stuff. He knows that won’t set you back. But, if he can dig in your field, if he can get you at the core of your being and raid your identity, then he can bring you down. His motivation is to keep you believing less, understanding less and living less than. In an unguarded heart he can establish his lie that you are nobody. The thief is delighted to leave you living your life “worth-less” than God’s truth about you!
Take time today to passionately worship your Creator. He will reveal the great treasure of true riches. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
A dear friend of ours recently shared this writing about who we are. It points us toward the reality of God’s dreams for you and me!
WE ARE HIS By Cheryl Renly
WE ARE HIS
Surrounded by His angels
Weapons tempered for war and victory
WE ARE HIS
Attuned to His honor
Filled with His Holy Spirit
Led by His Majesty and power
Swathed with His robes of righteousness
WE ARE HIS
Honed by His Word for every battle
Assigned to the battlegrounds where we live;
To reap a harvest of souls beyond our imagination
Can you believe it? I want to live like that.
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