So…he starts out with a question. A simple one. But not an easy one. A simple one in that I will say, “Bill” in answer to it. But not an easy one because he is not asking about surface, facts, or name and number. He’s asking who I am. Really. Deep inside. He’s asking what is my identity.

God calls me to live a wise and righteous life, then he connects me to the One who is wisdom and righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I can find my identity in one of two places.

• Myself. I can find it in my job. “I’m Pastor Bill.” My family. “This is my wife. My girls. My grandson.” I can find it in my cycling. “I’ve ridden over 1100 miles this year.” But all that is for nothing. It is temporary and has holes. I can lose my job. I can mess up as a husband and father and grandfather. I can quit cycling (or worse have a wreck).  🙂

OR

• In Christ. I’m a sinner. A fallen creature. I cannot pick myself back up. I can put Him at the center of all things and allow Him to be my identity.

The cross makes a way for the One who is everything that I’m not to become for me and in me everything I need.

“Father, finding my identity in me will not cut it. I’m a fallen creature with a rebellious heart. I need to see myself in You. Who I am to you. Be all I need. let me search no more except to fall deeper in love with you.”