"Myths About My Identity"

Here is a link to the message I referenced a couple days ago from my church!

Myths About My Identity

Enjoy :)

Just give me Jesus.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the lame words that are supposed to be comforting like, "other people struggle with this," and "you're not the only one," and "your time will come." Hello. I know all of that. I've read so many books on singleness, leadership, relationships, discipleship, etc. I'm not oblivious to the things going on around me. I know because I'm a human I'll struggle with things. But I also believe in Jesus Christ. And that's where I want my encouragement to come from. I'm so thankful for the people in my life who point me straight back to scripture. The people who listen completely to what I say when I'm struggling with something, take the time to point me back to God and pray with me or for me. I firmly believe the word of God-the Bible-is truth. And I desire so much more of it in my life.

I desire deeper fellowship, greater honesty, vulnerability and true encouragement-even when difficult. I miss my small group and women's study at church so much this semester. The people who kept me accountable, asked me hard questions, listened, and loved on me no matter what.

It's hard not to feel forgotten. And that's a lie I believe so often. It creeps up all the time. I can't wait to post the message from church this morning. It was all about our identity. I struggle with that so much. This past year has been a fight to break off from things of the world that I put my identity in, and fighting to put that in Christ daily.

This is the scripture we studied this morning, and I am so deeply encouraged and strengthened by it.

^"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love⁵ he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ,according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
¹¹ In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestinedaccording to the purpose of him who works all things according tothe counsel of his will, ¹² so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. ¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Ephesians 1:3-14

I hope whoever reads this is encouraged by my vulnerability, as well as this passage of scripture. I'm thankful for the times in my life when I feel these things, because it forces me to lean that much more into the arms of my Jesus. I just pray that I would continue to build on these lessons and feel these things less and less though. Haha. I'm hoping to grow into a woman that is constantly beyond confident in the gospel. Which makes me think of these verses!

¹⁹...and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:19-20

Also, I really am obsessed with this song right now: Hillsong UNITED, Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)