Our True Identity is in Christ

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 NIV

In a story titled “Spokane runner finds her stride, headed to the 2024 Paralympics” published by KXLY News on Wednesday, it was reported that Taylor Swanson will be running in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris that is set to begin on August 28. Along with other Spokane athletes, Taylor will be running the 100, 200, and 4x1 universal relay for Team USA. This opportunity is a dream she wasn't sure would ever become a reality. Taylor wasn't diagnosed with cerebral palsy until about a year ago. At 29-years-old is when things clicked. Now, instead of trying to find a "fix," she is finding major success in her true identity. "Since I was a little kid, I just had some difficulties with school, being a kinda clumsy kid, that I didn't understand," said Swanson. "I had all these individual diagnoses of different issues that I had, but we didn't realize they were all just symptoms of cerebral palsy." According to Taylor's coaches, growing up training with able-bodied athletes has played a major role in her success, and they say she has a very good chance of coming home with a medal. 

And you know, when it comes to finding major success in our true identities, the Bible is very clear that mankind was created in God’s image. Which means, first and foremost, we are “children of God” created to serve Him and to walk with Him. Unfortunately though, we live in a world where people are increasingly confused about who they are and why they were created, choosing to buy into the lie that they can create their own identity—something that only leaves them more confused and further separated from the One who created them for fellowship. This is the very reason every believer must step up and do their part in exposing the lies of the enemy so that the lost would be reconciled to Christ and embrace the true identity He has given them. This is the most basic stepping stone to living a life of spiritual success and finding the contentment every heart desires. 

So be bold in sharing this message with the world my friend. Be unafraid to declare that a person’s true identity is never found by doing a horizontal search of the world, but found only in a wholehearted vertical search that will lead them to God, the Creator of all mankind. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for making it clear that we were created in Your image, male and female we were created, to fellowship with You, to serve You, and to be a light in this dark world. Lord, help us love the lost so much that we would be bold in speaking the truth to a world in desperate need of hearing it. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!