Who You Are

WHO YOU ARE

a prayer to open

Here I am, Lord. Remind me who I am.

I am loved. I am known. I belong to you.

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

What a rich, compelling, and encouraging passage of Scripture! These words belong on our walls, as our screen savers, on the inside of our eyelids, and in the very depths of our souls. We once had reason to be afraid, dead as we were in our sins and held captive to our own desires and inclinations. But that isn’t us anymore. We are not slaves to sin. We are not destined for death. We are not purposeless. We are

• in Christ
• adopted
• under Christ
• Christ’s own
• confident in hope
• empowered
• changed
• loved
• with Christ
• created anew
• brought near
• joined together with others in Christ
• granted access to God’s presence
• rooted in love
• being transformed
• called by God
• gifted by God
• created to be like God
• saved
• people of light
• able to choose
• submitted to others
• strong in the Lord
• prepared
• equipped

This is who we are. This is who you are.

• As you read through the preceding list, what stirs in your heart and soul? Which of the descriptors can you easily receive? Which of the descriptors give rise to resistance or just don’t seem true of you? Which of the descriptors do you need to hang on your wall, tape to your bathroom mirror, or have tattooed on your heart?
• Reflect on the past twenty-eight days, which you’ve spent responding to whatever God raised within you about your identity. What stands out? What has been his most consistent message or invitation to you?
• Take a moment to quiet yourself in God’s loving presence. Ask him to open your eyes and heart to the one truth about who you are in Christ that he wants you to take with you even as you complete this part of the journey. Write down whatever God brings to mind.

Father, I read through this list and see in black and white what I know you say is true of me both in the words of Scripture and by your actions. Can it be? Help me embrace the truth of who I am in you and step fully into that truth so I can be and do what you’ve called me to in this world. When I get stuck or waylaid, pull me back to you. Remind me who I am. Remind me that I am yours. I am yours. Amen.