Be Who You Is – If You Ain’t Who You Is – You Is Who You Ain’t. Or, Be yourself; everyone else is taken. There’s lots of cute ways to say it, but the message is… be yourself…the challenging part is to figure out who that is. Even at age 53 ¾ I drift on the uncertain sea of identity. How is that possible?
It’s a fact that I am a mother, a Nana, wife, relation of some sort to people and a friend. I’ve been all those things for a long time. But it’s the inner me that wafts along and can’t seem to tie down. And I can get in trouble, because I start being who I think others think I ‘oughta’ be. But, really, I just need to be who Jesus made me to be and things would be better. It’s hearing His voice over all the others that gives me pause and then, makes me lose my footing.
When we moved to Australia I had an identity crisis because, well, we moved to Australia. Suddenly nothing was familiar and my somewhat disjointed personality took a beating. Then, we found an amazing group of friends in our church and I clicked with the women. My identity was back.
Now that we’re back home, it’s clear that I am a mom and a Nana, I am a writer, and a friend. I’m a relation of some sort to some people. But, settling in has been more challenging than I thought it would. Finding a new church has been difficult. (Why do I always compare the new church with previous churches anyways? I know that’s not the way to go). And, then I start down the walk of being who I think people think I should be or am, and the mess starts all over again. It’s only time in the WORD and prayer that brings me back to my true identity. Eventually my chaotic soul is at peace.
Here’s what I was reminded of – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done! (Philippians 4:6 NLT)
I am only here (On earth) temporarily, so all the stuff that makes me crazy, sad, depressed, anxious, those things won’t be in my real home. My real home is with Jesus. He’s blessed beyond anything I could ask or imagine here and I am thankful. Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 2:11-12, John 17:14, John 15:19.
I can be sure that God works for my good in every single circumstance in my life. (Every means all, not just the easy or good circumstances). Romans 8:28
I am a creation of HIM. God himself made me unique. He gifted me as He saw fit and I can be sure He will complete His good work in me. In the Psalm 139 it says He himself knit be together. If you’re a knitter you know your hands, mind and thoughts are very busy when you’re knitting. Imagine the creator of the World making us in a similar, intimate fashion. Psalm 139 13-16, Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 2:10, Romans 12:6
Those things give me hope. They remind me that I am a child of the one true King and that as His kid, nothing is impossible. Including figuring out who I am.
But there’s more.
The simple list for me is this:
Because of Jesus, I am salt, I am light. I am Born Again and saved by HIS grace. I am a new creation in HIM, old things have gone away, and all things are new. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, Matthew 5:14, Matthew 5:13. I find comfort in these words. Because it (life) is not about me, it’s about living for Him.
At times when my soul is adrift and tosses about in that sea of uncertainty He is the rock I hold to, and HIS word shows me the way, reminding me why I shouldn’t be anxious, or afraid, or bitter, but rather live in Him – a hope filled, love overflowing, life.
Face it, life gets ‘lifey’. The sea gets choppy. Hope floats. Rain comes. Anxiety makes the heart race. But Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. No matter where God moves me geographically, or where I might head of myself or the world sends me emotionally, He remains my only hope and the voice most clear.
By Linda Mae Baldwin | Freelance Writer | Website
Navigating life’s journey with photography and the written word.
God, Giggles, Grace: living with a Grin.
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