“Be you.”
“You do you.”
We repeatedly hear phrases like the above in our current culture. Society intends for those phrases to inspire freedom and inclusivity. However, I don’t think that’s what they actually do, rather they give us an excuse to be self-focused.
THE SOURCE OF IDENTITY
While the world tells us we can create our own identity, Christ-followers should know that to not be true. Our identity is to be found in Christ. My husband, TJ, loves to discuss and teach on Matthew 3. In verses 16-17 we see God speak identity into Jesus. Before Jesus has done any miracles, we see God not only claim that Jesus is His Son but also that God is pleased with Jesus. God was pleased with Jesus because Jesus was His Son, not because of what Jesus had done or who He claimed to be. We could obviously spend a lot of time discussing this (you’ll have to ask TJ for his Lion King analogy), but let’s see how this ties into being uniquely you.
Each one of us has strengths and gifts that are beautiful and distinctive. However, not even those abilities define our identity. God is not pleased with us only when we do well, are kind, figure something out, etc. God is pleased with us because we are His children. We were made in His image. We were adopted as heirs. So, life as a Christian is not about being unapologetically you and everyone else can just deal. Life as a follower of Christ is about sanctification and allowing Him to use even our uniquenesses to look more like Christ. Less of me and more of You.
ALLOWING HIM TO SHINE
Life as a follower of Christ is recognizing that He made us on purpose. I was not a mistake and neither were you. Things that we see as flaws or annoying quirks aren’t seen that way to Christ (enneagram one over here, aka strong inner critic). Life as a follower of Christ is allowing Christ’s light to shine through you as you succeed and struggle.
The world needs us to be who God created us to be--women who love God, bring glory to His name, and make His name known as only we uniquely can. We have the opportunity to use every moment of our lives to fulfill the Great Commission. How do we do this? By claiming our true identity and using our personalities, our strengths and weaknesses to point to Jesus in the everyday moments.
How are you unique?
Do you love to cook, garden, shop, or clean (definitely NOT me)? Serve, teach, or encourage? Are you a baker, realtor, teacher, personal assistant, stay at home mom, or speech pathologist? Take a few minutes to write out your gifts, titles, and hobbies. I hope at the top of your list is “image bearer of God.” That is where we can find freedom and that is what puts all our other parts into proper perspective.
Go be who God created you to be; a beautiful image bearer of Himself. A woman who in your specific life situation, in this current season, is to be His light in this world. For Him, go be uniquely you!
Meet the Author!
Casey Yates is a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and speech-language pathologist. Casey loves all things Christmas, British historical fiction, walks, pie and coffee. Lots of coffee.
