I told all five of my kids when they were little that they could grow up to be anyone they wanted. Of course, present day, that sounds like identity theft. So, oops.
I’ve always figured I should be safe from that kind of identity theft myself. I’m just not sure anyone would want to be me enough to take that kind of risk. I mean, I enjoy being me and all. But I still have a hard time imagining a whole lot of people fighting over who gets to be the gal with the hair that won’t stay appropriately poofed, has some pretty ridiculous attachments to coffee and chocolate, and has enough of an attention deficit to…wait, what was I saying? Oh yeah, I was probably about to say that when I think about it, there are actually some parts of my identity I would give those identity thieves for free. If they do ever attempt to steal my identity, maybe we should consider punishing them by making them take it. The whole thing.
Every now and then I think about how long I’ve been working at being me, and I sort of wonder if someone else might be better at it than I am.
Then it comes to me that I was created this way. On purpose, even. And my real identity can never be stolen. It can’t be lost. No need to give it away either. My identity is in Christ. It’s completely wrapped up in Him. Every part. Every movement. Paul said, “For in Him we live and move and exist…’For we are also His offspring.’” (Acts 17:28, HCSB).
As the offspring of the Lord, we are who we are in Him. And we are treasured as the most beloved children of God. “Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are!” (1 John 3:1, HCSB). This! This is who we really are!
What a relief that I don’t have to worry about who steals my identity, drinks my coffee or takes my things. I don’t even have to worry about someone being better at being me than I am. The God of the universe loved this me—this very one—enough to create me and even to redeem me back to Himself. “He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, (2 Corinthians 5:21, HCSB). That is what I’ve become. The righteousness of God. I am loved. I am redeemed because of Christ. I am His.
If you’ve given your life to Christ, you are His too. And you are exactly the same kind of “loved.” The same God who loves you as His child is at work in you by His Holy Spirit, making it possible for you to truly become all you were meant to be—according to the plan He’s had for you since the beginning of time. You are the best kind of “becoming.”
Take it from me, Rhonda Rhea (and it’s the real me), when your identity is in Jesus, because of Him, you really are the very best you. Leave the identity crisis for the one who feels he needs to steal one.