Identity.  Wether we admit it or not.  Whether we even recognize it.  Identity is at the center of our lives and our journeys as humans on this earth.  Who am I?  It’s a question that plagues us all.  It’s not a new question.  It has been on the hearts and minds of ever person that has ever walked on this planet.  I have often asked this question of myself.  But honestly, the question has always become bogged down in less about who I AM and more about what I DO.  As humans, we tend to define ourselves by what we do.  How good we are at something.  Whether it’s a sport, an artistic talent, a job performance, a grade in school or even the number of likes or shares on social media – we compare ourselves to find our worth.  For me when asked who am I – I often say…I am a husband.  I am a father.  I am a youth pastor.  I am a singer.  I am a tech junky.  But who am I really?  Who are you really?

The Lord’s sovereignty is absolutely incredible.  Let me explain.  This week I’m helping multiple students and families through the question of who they ARE.  So many of my students seem to be struggling more today – than ever with this question.  Partly because of the culture and partly because of the effect of social media and comparison.   As a 43 year old man – I’m not immune.  I’m struggling a bit with my own questions of life purpose, calling and at some level with burnout and seeing fruit in ministry.  So, it’s in those times that I get off center…making it easier to question and consider who I am.

So, as I sat down at my desk today to begin my day in God’s Word – I was blown away at what the Lord showed me.  He put three completely separate Bible studies in front of me today to remind me who I am and especially who HE IS.

1.  Tomorrow’s youth sermon for Wednesday is called BIG WORDS: ADOPTION.  We are going to talk about what the word “adoption” means for a follower of Jesus.  We are adopted by the Lord into his family.  We are rescued out of sin and shame.  We are taken in and called children of God.
2. Today in our youth D:Group lesson we are reading DEFINED Week 1 – Day 2.  The title is WHO AM I?  The reading includes passages from Genesis 2 about being God’s creation.  We are made in the image of God.  Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.”  Isaiah further reminds us of our true identity in 43:1 by saying, “I have called you by your name; you are mine.”
3. Then to add to that – my regular daily devotional in the HE READS TRUTH app is currently in a series called, “I AM: Statements of Our Savior.”  Today’s reading is in Day 2.  It is all about how before even Abraham was, I AM.  The focus passage is John 8.  It’s one of the conversations Jesus had with the Jewish religious leaders.  He told them that they were not really children of Abraham.  They were speaking to Jesus as if they were something special simply because of their heritage as Jews.  Jesus boldly told them that they had no real right to the family of God simply through Abraham.  Jesus said, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire.” (John 8:44).  Jesus then clearly tells them in vs 58, “I tell you the truth…before Abraham was born, I AM.”

In just a simple moment at a youth ministry desk on an ordinary day, the Lord brought so much together for me all at once.  We do need to know who we are.  But before we can know who we are…we must know whose we are.  We were once children of the devil because of our sinful nature and complete disobedience.  But, because of God’s great love for us…we can be saved by Jesus.  We can be brought near to God and ADOPTED into a new family…with a new name…with a clear purpose and plan for life.  We can be set free and be children of the most high God…the great I AM.

So, if you’re struggling with who you are…know that the great I AM already knows who you are.  Run toward Him today.  He will be faithful to reveal WHO YOU ARE.  There is hope.  God really is there.  If God can connect all these dots through three totally different devotionals in a single moment at the desk of an ordinary guy in Florence, SC on October 1, 2019…he can do anything.  He is sovereign. He is good. He is God.  He is the great I AM.  Put your faith and trust in Him today.  He’s my only hope.  I pray he is your hope!  I pray that he will reveal to you how much you are truly loved and how valuable you really are to Him.