Identity

I posted yesterday about positive labels and not needing them.

People always say not to give yourself negative labels... "You are not ugly, you are beautiful!" But positive or negative, a label is still a label. People can label me whatever they want, and sometimes it feels good to have a label. But I won't find my identity in any label.

So who am I?

I am accepted.

I am God's child. John 1:12
As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus. John 15:15
I have been justified. Romans 5:1
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:17
I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I am a member of Christ's body. 1 Corinthians 12:27
I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. Ephesians 1:3-8
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Colossians 1:13-14
I am complete in Christ. Colossians 2:9-10
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14-16

I am secure.

I am free from condemnation. Romans 8:1-2
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God. Romans 8:31-39
I have been established, annointed, and sealed by God. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-4
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. Philippians 1:6
I am a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20
I have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me. 1 John 5:18

I am significant.

I am the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life. John 15:5
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. John 15:16
I am God's temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16
I am a minister of reconciliation for God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm. Ephesians 2:6
I am God's workmanship. Ephesians 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

*That* is my identity. Not me or my labels, but by the One IN me. He's my identity.

Pastor Claire (Who put together the scripture list above - pretty cool!) also said that when you live this way, people WILL put labels on you.
They might give you negative labels.
But they might label you loving.
They might label you joyful.
They might label you peaceful.
They might label you patient.
They might label you kind.
They might label you good.
They might label you religous.
They might label you wise.

And that's okay.

You can be those things. You should be those things? You just need to know that that's not where your identity lies.

You're identity lies in Christ. In Him you are accepted, secure and significant. No matter what. Because, honestly, you *are* going to mess up those labels.

You WILL have times when you are sorrowful, worried, angry, mean, less than loving. You WILL make bad decisions.

Pastor Claire gave an example. She was 'responsible Claire.' Then she crashed her moms new car. There goes that label. But it was just a label, not her real identity. She was still accepted, secure and significant.

I auditioned and didn't make it. If my identity was under the label of being a musician, that would have been crushing. I might have felt like I lost a part of myself. But no, I'm still accepted, secure and significant.

I am a still musician. But it's just a label. It's not my identity.

Yesterday, I wrote:

"Label me smart. What happens if I fail physics? There goes my worth.
Label me a talented musician. I didn't make it into the Calgary Fiddlers when I auditioned last year.
Label me reliable. What happens if I forget something?
Label me patient. What if something ticks me off and I lose my temper?
Label me strong. What happens when I break? (Notice I didn't say 'if')
Label me pretty. So what? Does that really matter? At all?"

So to answer my own question of what happens if... What happens is nothing. I don't lose part of my identity if I'm no longer labeled smart, talented, reliable, patient, strong or pretty.
What happens if I fail physics? I am accepted, secure and significant.
What happens if I forget something? I am accepted secure and significant.

So. Labels don't have to be bad. But YOU are not your LABEL.

Are you beautiful? You are.
But who are you without your beauty?
I hope the way you and others percieve your beauty doesn't affect your identity, your happiness, the way you interact with people and the way you treat others.
Because 'pretty'? Is just a label. Not your identity.