God's Child

   As children, many of us know who we are. For me, I was Girard and Shari's daughter. I was a princess. I was a good student. I was a Goody Two-Shoes....Then we grow older and we realize all the people we could be. Many feel they need to decide who they want to be. And sometimes, that's really hard. For me, did I want to be a career person? A stay-at-home mom? Or maybe a missionary in the wilds of South America?  Did I want to be an adventurer or a non-risk taker?

   Many of these choices are made for us through the unique personality that God gives each of us. God gives us room to make some of these choices for ourselves. For example, I am not a fan of running and chose not to do basketball or track. Although, somewhat athletic, I wouldn't say I'm an athlete. We are given other choices that also become part of our identity. Will we be Christ-followers, known as God's children, or will we turn our backs on Him? I believe this choice plays a HUGE role into whom we become. 

   Over the last few years, God has been revealing to me who I am. He has given me the revelation that because I was made in His image (Genesis 1:27), I am very much like Him! God loves to love and be loved (I believe this is partially why He created us); He craves fellowship (Why else would He have created a way for us to come back into fellowship with Him?!); He is kind, compassionate, gentle, patient, good, righteous, understanding, a peace-maker...this list goes on! Because I am made in His image and especially because I have chosen to follow Him, I am called to possess all of these traits as well! They are to become a part of MY identity.

   So, I am called to become like Christ....and I do that how?  Actually, it's a pretty simple in theory. Bear with me as I explain- My mom and I have often conversed on the way children pick up on the (good AND bad) characteristics of their parents. The same applies to behaviors. I have also made the observation that I take on different characteristics of my friends. What is the commonality between parents and friends? Time. We spend a lot of time with these people! And so, it makes sense that we might take on some of their characteristics. We do this with co-workers, as well as, close friends and family. 

   Back to becoming like Christ- how? The same way we become a bit like our family, friends, and coworkers, by spending time with Him. God wrote us a great, big letter to show us Who He is and the characteristics He possesses. It goes to reason that if we will but spend time with Him in prayer and reading His Word, we will slowly become more like Him! What's even better is that He is our Daddy (see Roman 8:15), and He has no bad characteristics to pick up on. We can be proud to call Him our Daddy and to be known as His child. What an identity! 

   I have chosen to be a child of Christ and I claim that as my identity. As I come to realize who God is and what His characteristics are, I become more certain of who I am and who I am supposed to be. I'm not perfect by far, but I am striving to take on more of my Father's characteristics every day.  Do you know who you are? Whom have you chosen to be? Is that whom you want to be? If not, what can you do to fix it?