Identity?

John Eldridge writes, “…like a man so corrupted he no longer knows his own name, the human race is captive in the worst way possible – we are captives of the heart...The challenge God faces is rescuing a people who have no idea how captive they are; no real idea how desperate they are.  We know we long for Eden, but we hesitate to give ourselves back to God in abandoned trust.  We are captivated by the lies of our Enemy” (Epic, 64). 

How many of us no longer know our own name?  Our name connects us to a sense of identity.  In other words, how many of us have forgotten who we are in Christ?  Forgotten the joy, the life, the freedom that He offers?  I think all of us at times will go after the adventure, not because God calls us there, but because that is where we gain a sense of identity.  Or, we rush into the battle, not because there is a battle that God wants us to fight, but because we want to become the hero.  Or, we seek after the beauty, not due to the strength that we have to offer to her, but because of what we think she can offer us.  Motivation gives us an honest reflection of our hearts that is if we are honest with ourselves.  This takes courage. 

 It is so easy to be captivated by the lies of our Enemy.  He knows our stories so well, plays into our wounds so perfectly.  At times, believing in his lies feels incredible, and we may even feel justified in doing so.  This enchantment, or spell lulls us into a state of further resignation, and then we settle for living in the smaller story. 

There are indicators, however, that God uses to wake us up.  Most times, it doesn’t feel good to be woken up from our small stories.  It’s harsh at times.  Though once awoken to a larger story, our roles become more clear.  Or maybe, what God is calling us to do in His story becomes much more clear. 

When on the journey for further freedom, opposition will come against you.  Not if, but when.  Be ready for it – not through a sense of obligation or duty though, but deal with it out of a free heart, out of who you are in Christ.  Continue the journey towards greater freedom in Christ.  Never forget that we are now His, for He ransomed us to God.  We have been purchased.  The Enemy has been defeated, but not destroyed.  Our Enemy strives against us so fiercely that we may forget our name, that we might forget what Christ did for us, that we might forget our freedom.  Remember the words of Jesus, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10: 10).