When people ask you about yourself, what do you say?

“I’m a quarterback.”

“I play basketball.”

“I’m from Portland.”

Those are all valid responses, but they won’t help people know you.

You see, what defines us is not our position, placement or any other label. It goes deeper than that. We can get so wrapped up in what we do that we forget who we are. And who we are is most important, because everything else flows from there.

God does not intend for us to be so preoccupied by our performance that we forget we are first and foremost beloved by Him.

"Now this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel—
‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.’” –Isaiah 43:1

Before Jesus ever did a single minute of public ministry, God looked down on Him and declared that Jesus was loved. He was rooted in His identity as the Father’s Son. He was baptized by His cousin John to fulfill prophesy. Jesus gave us the example to follow, not because He needed to repent of any sin, but to stay in step with the will of His Father, which was His desire for His people to repent and be devoted to God.

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. But John tried to stop him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?’

Jesus answered him, ‘Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John allowed him to be baptized.

When Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.’”  --Matthew 3:13-17

This is God’s beloved Son, with whom He is well pleased. Not by anything He’s done, but simply because of who He is.

We too are God’s chosen people, and He calls us His children. 

Read the rest of the article to learn the truths of who you are.

-FCA-