“The titles you might carry at home/work/church are huge risks for personal definition. ” Relevant Magazine
“We often draw off so much affirmation and value from what we do at work that we cannot imagine our life without it. That title we wear of mom/dad, Executive, Boss, Manager, or Associate Ect. become wrapped up in our identity so deeply that without our job we feel worthless, invaluable and unimportant. “
Me talking……
I think God wants to define us in visional ways. He wants to define us by characteristics and giftings not status or job titles. If you think about all the things you can write beside the words I AM… when describing who you are.
I wonder how many of those things would be words God would use to describe you, words He would use to define you?
It’s an exciting adventure discovering who we are in Christ
He has called me to help people feel accepted and find a sense of belonging through relationships and writing I believe.
But when I believed I was inadequate, average, a victim, not very smart, fat and insignificant my purpose was the farthest thing from my mind. At that time in my life I spent all my energy thinking about where I lacked rather than what I had to offer.
Those things kept me from finding the things I was truly passionate about, the things I was created to do.
8 Comments
September 12, 2008 at 9:17 am
sheeze. what a great perspective heidi! focusing on the “call”, and the strengths He has given us, and not what i “feel”. its hard – but its right!
September 12, 2008 at 9:33 am
I’m needing to remember what He has called me to through the gifts of His Spirit.
It is about Him, not about us.
September 12, 2008 at 10:19 am
You did it again!! Wonderful post. I never really thought that I had gifts he wanted me to use. Then one day Cindy did a post and had a link to find your spiritual gifts in it. I took the quiz. Then thought it had to be wrong. Me with gifts….that is crazy. So I took a few more test. Guess What??? God Loves me and gave even me gifts.
“He has called me to help people feel accepted and find a sense of belonging through relationships and writing I believe.” This is sooooo true of you!!!!
I believe that he has called me to encourage people and help them learn to keep their faith in Him.
September 12, 2008 at 11:47 am
Replacing the lies of the enemy with the words of The King!! Have to do it everyday here! Let’s keep battling with the truth!
September 12, 2008 at 2:11 pm
(i love love love your new look!)
and you’re absolutely right. the only title that *should* matter to me is:
i am His.
September 12, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I am not sure about titles but when my name comes up in discussion its more like phrases, than titles, for example;
“He did what ????”
“you gotta be kidding!”
“Why won’t he let me lead??”
“Here we go again!”
those kind of phrases.
September 13, 2008 at 5:32 am
Heidi, I can really relate to this post (wow what a surprise). I spent most of my life feeling not good enough – like I’d never measure up in any area of my life. Eventually, I became an overachiever. Titles and positions, at some point, compensated for my low self esteem and insecurity in my personal life and I felt more connected to what I did rather than who I was. The last year or so however, God has really been drilling in to me – what I do (that which is not for His glory) is all like grasping at the wind. I’m trying (it does take work when you have low self esteem) to stand only on His principle. “I am what I AM says I am.”
September 13, 2008 at 6:48 am
Heidi, I too understand what you mean. Even defining myself as a worship leader or minister may not be how God sees me – perhaps worshiper, servant, obedient would be better.
Good things to think of.