The summer conference in England ended, and privileges of the empty nest prevailed. After all, who needed us back at home in Budapest?
Energized by our awareness of freedom, Larry and I intentionally hit the pause button on life, donned our walking shoes, and set out like two newlyweds. An exhibition at Buckingham Palace caught our attention.
In honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s eightieth birthday, the Palace offered a rare public viewing—inclusive of a descriptive history— of eighty royal gowns and personal jewelry. Together we toured the spectacular exhibit, and then Larry left for his favorite art museum. Wanting more time to study the gorgeous dresses, I remained behind.
Listening yet again to the audio headset, I gazed at the glitter and glamour, and I read (and re-read) every description provided with each elaborate dress: state dinners, visits with foreign dignitaries, official tours to other nations. As the hour for closing approached, and other tourists slowly exited, I enjoyed the hall all to myself. Only the security guards remained. Wow . . . Alone and surrounded by exquisite splendor on display. I yearned to absorb every detail to recall and savor for a lifetime.
Suddenly, in this setting of grandeur—and without warning—God intervened with a strong sense of His presence. Amid the soft lights, quiet music, and superb representation of royalty, I heard the strains of Edward Mote’s aged hymn play out in my head: “Clothed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before His throne.”
Debby, your beauty in Christ supersedes all the beauty displayed before you. Nothing compares to the magnificence of your righteousness in Christ. Nothing. Your true identity as My child is royalty; you stand adorned in My garments of salvation and arrayed in holy attire. I stopped.
Overwhelmed with wonder, and breathless with the encounter, I stood completely still and absorbed this amazing moment with my heavenly Father.
In hushed reverence, my very soul responded with, “Oh God. Thank You. Thank You. You have gently pulled back the curtain for me to see as never before the majesty and privilege of being a child of the King. No other identity compares. By Your grace, I commit myself to grow and live in the fullness of this reality.”
““Identity in Christ holds the foundation and the cornerstone for our lives. Everything spiritually, emotionally, experientially, and relationally builds upon it.” ”
My epiphany in Buckingham Palace solidified a conviction: Identity in Christ holds the foundation and the cornerstone for our lives. Everything spiritually, emotionally, experientially, and relationally builds upon it.
In fact, Neil Anderson says, “Understanding your identity in Christ is absolutely essential to your success at living the Christian life . . . Next to a knowledge of God, a knowledge of who you are is by far the most important truth you can possess.”
““Understanding your identity in Christ is absolutely essential to your success at living the Christian life . . . Next to a knowledge of God, a knowledge of who you are is by far the most important truth you can possess.””
A strong identity in Christ becomes a reality when we implement three life-changing principles: Believe what is true, reject what is false, and choose what will last.
1. Believe what is true
The Truth in Psalm 139 emphatically describes our significance.
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:1-5).
2. Reject what is false
“If you believe a lie you will live like the lie is true,” says Todd Cook.
Comparison robs us of joy and contaminates our focus. Yet, in our humanness, we gravitate toward comparing ourselves to others. The result leads to feelings of inferiority or inappropriate pride. Both comparisons are rooted in self-focus, which is idolatry. Instead of wearing our wardrobe of royal attire, we find ourselves draped in rags of insecurity and insignificance.
““If you believe a lie, you will live like the lie is true.””
3. Choose what will last
By making God’s Truth our choice, over time He accomplishes His work of transformation within our identity. We begin to act with authenticity, finding ourselves liberated to be who He meant us to be in Christ.
God never intended for you and me to become like someone else. His divine design intends to make each of us like Jesus. “For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29).
Identity in Christ, a rare and beautiful treasure, must be vigilantly guarded to protect against identity theft. The closer we grow to Jesus, the more we experience who we really are, and the easier it becomes to detect and reject the fakes and frauds within ourselves. Building on this foundation produces security and significance in a vibrant personal walk with Christ.
““Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire. “”
Living with Eternal Intentionality®
“May [you] have power . . . to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18-19a).
Does your view of yourself align with God’s view of you? If not, where is there need for change?
God fashioned you as a person, a marvelous treasure. When you became a follower of Jesus, your name was written in the Lamb’s book of life. How does this reality make a difference in your self-perception?
What incorrect thought pattern poses your biggest challenge in believing the truth that God loves you and delights in you?
What change is needed to enable you to live according to your true identity?
Significance, security, eternal worth, and unconditional love are your inherited adornments as a child of God. What is one step you desire to take to clothe yourself in these royal garments?
Please pray aloud in a quiet aloneness with your heavenly Father: Thank You, God, that You created me. Thank You that because Jesus died for me, my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. I want to define myself as one radically loved by You. Enable me to release any part of my identity that is not my true self in You. Please make me the person You created me to be.
