As we prepare to move and downsize, I have been gradually starting to sort through my teaching materials that have travelled with us from home to home.   Since STUFF = Space + Time + Energy (to keep it all organized), I am determined that these materials are not coming with us!

The necessary undertaking of sorting through 20 years worth of teaching materials is a lot of work, both physically and emotionally.  Memories of past students, fun lessons, and challenging teaching experiences that God utilized to allow me to grow seem to rush back with each item that I touch.  What is even more difficult though is how I keep seeing the hidden hours of time and effort that were poured into the thought and actual creation behind these items. So much time and energy had been invested (and, sadly, by putting my husband second in the process)…and now I am tossing it all aside.

With each box, bag, book, and binder that I open, I feel like God is trying to teach me something through the process and I keep coming back to one word – ‘identity’.   Merriam Webster’s online dictionary defines ‘identity’ as “the distinguishing character or personality of an individual”.   So, who am I? 

Well, these are all items that I am now ready to toss, sell, or donate…and, yes, I am okay with it.   It is actually freeing to finally be able to let it go and push it all aside, knowing that this STUFF no longer has a hold of me.

The things I own (which God has given) do not define me.

The activities I participate in (which He allows and enables me to do) do not make me who I am.

What I create and what is seen on the outside (the things God empowers me to accomplish through Him) does not determine my identity.

My current titles and roles (place in life determined in advance by God) are not set in stone.  Jobs, hobbies, and relationships can all change over time.

Yes, I am a wife, mother, teacher, web author, homeschooler, and new missionary.  However, my roles and titles are NOTHING
in comparison to my unchangeable status
of who I am in Christ! 

My true identity is in knowing that

I am

forgiven (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:13-14)

set free from sin and condemnation (Romans 6:18, John 8:31-32, 36, Romans 8:1-2)

justified by His grace (Romans 3:22-24)

brought near to God through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:12-14)

adopted as a child of God
(Ephesians 1:4-6, 1 John 3:1, John 1:12-13, Romans 8:14-17)

a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 2 Timothy 1:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

bought with a price and belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

God’s workmanship (Eph 2:10)

greatly loved by God
(Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4, John 3:16, Galatians 2:20)

blessed (Galatians 3:9, Ephesians 1:3, Romans 4:7-8)

dead to sin and alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5, Romans 6:11, 1 Peter 2:24)

My identity is based on Jesus– His undeserving grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love towards me.  And my purpose is found in living for Him – my risen, all powerful Savior!  I love how a good friend of mine stated, “I find the more I fight for and pursue godliness, the easier it is to let go of "stuff" and false identities – things I ultimately can’t hold on to forever, but I can hold on to Christ.”

May I live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father…

May I become more and more enamored with the Blesser, overflowing in thanks for the spiritual blessings I have through His sacrifice, than with the physical blessings He gives.