Identity vs Action

The cottage cheese thighs and muffin top drove me to it. I couldn’t take it anymore. After weeks of not running and weeks prior to that of sporadic, inconsistent running, I shoved myself onto the treadmill. I can honestly say it was torture. Not a moment of enjoyment or satisfaction. (I actually took a picture of my own muffin top, but could not bring myself to post it for you!)

The whole time I kept pushing aside thoughts that went something like ‘if you’d been more consistent you wouldn’t be having this issue right now,’ or ‘your laziness sure took its toll.’ Yes, those things are TRUE, I can’t deny that. However, I can deny them being noble, lovely, pure, praiseworthy, or of good report! And if my thoughts don’t fit into those categories, I mustn’t think on them (Phil 4:8).

What did I replace those ugly, blameworthy, discouraging thoughts with? ‘Yes, this is horrible and something close to torture, yes, I brought it on myself, but I know I CAN do this because I’ve done it before!’  

God is teaching me the importance of knowing MY IDENTITY, and not just that, but the difference between MY IDENTITY and MY ACTIONS. It seems like I am writing a lot about this lately, which must mean I have much to learn in this area. How often those two things get confused in my mind and life: IDENTITY and ACTIONS. I fall short and I sin (action), leaving me feeling unaccepted and less loved by God (identity). Does this mean that when I have a moment without sin (surely I must have those) that God loves and accepts me more? NOPE.

I can do nothing to make God love me more. I can do nothing to make God love me less. I am accepted by Him regardless of my actions. I’m reminded of the name He gave me, and I offer this task up to you as well. Ask God to give you a name. Ask Him who you are. I did this, and before I could even finish asking, I clearly heard the word BELOVED. About a week later, as I thought about this word and was writing it down, I realized that to be His BELOVED, I must BE LOVED; I must allow myself to receive His love. Do you see this? BELOVED = BE LOVED. This is what God is walking me through. Scratch that! If God says I am (or you are) His BELOVED, that means exactly that. I can choose to receive it or not. However, if I choose not to receive His love, I remain His BELOVED regardless. My job- to walk in it; to let my actions reflect that identity.

I cannot walk in my identity if I don’t know and accept who I am. Because I KNEW I could do it, I didn’t allow my inconsistency and laziness to keep me from running for thirty minutes. As I struggled on that treadmill I kept telling myself ‘I’m going to get through this, because I KNOW I’m a runner! I KNOW I can do this and I will not allow my actions this past month to change that!’

MY ACTION- I fall short and sin everyday

MY IDENTITY- Beloved by God and made righteous and holy

My actions do not change my identity

'Remind Me Who I Am' Jason Gray You Tube

(Be sure to watch the video as you listen closely to the words)

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