We often identify ourselves as our careers or positions we hold in our places of worship, as students or athletes. If today you lost your company, got fired, or couldn’t do what you are doing anymore would you be confused of your identity?
Our Father in heaven gives us our identity. If we find our identity in anything or anyone other than Christ there will be seasons of confusion. Right now, everything may be firing on all cylinders but what happens when the trials come, difficulties in life?
Paul and Timothy were traveling from city to city sharing the gospel. In Philippi they are beaten and thrown in jail. This would be discouraging to most believers today. I can hear it now, ‘God why me?’ Or ‘I thought you were protecting me?’. What do we find Paul and Timothy doing?
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25
How could they do this? They knew whose they were and allowed this to define them, not what they did. They were able to worship when there was no worldly reason to. Look at what happens when heaven comes to earth because this is what heaven looks like on earth, ‘“But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.’ Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’" Acts 16:28-31
The most important thing beyond understanding the character of God is recognizing what He says about you and walking on it. Don’t allow the enemy to make you a product of your current and past circumstances, you are made in the image of God and were redeemed by the finished work of Jesus on the cross. May we know whose we are and let that define our worship no matter where we find ourselves.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.