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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Existence

I realized this morning that, all I really know is God exists. And, I exist in Him. I was trying to think of how I would define myself without Christ. I couldn't come up with anything.

Don't become your job. Don't become your sport. Don't become your hobby. Don't become your children. Don't become your husband or wife.

Ask the question, who am I? What is my identity?

I think you will come up with some surprising answers. Answers that have an awful lot to do with, well, what you do.

They will also have a lot to do with relationships. Which, I believe, shows their utter importance, but also our dependency upon people to define us.

People will speak into our lives. With and without words. They will say wonderfully kind and terribly cruel things. We will be hurt by others actions, manipulations and lies. We will hurt others, too. As a friend and I have been discussing, when you sin, it doesn't just affect you.

Love people, and pray for more grace than you could ever muster on your own. But know, please, know that you are not defined by your past, you are not defined by others' words spoken over you, you are not defined by your job, social status or paycheck.

Whose success defines me? This is my struggle, my weak spot. I'm a little afraid of graduating. Because then everyone will know I'm not after a paycheck, I'm not after the success of esteem and status of this world. I think it might be a let down for a lot of people. I guess I will just have to be OK with that.

6 comments:

Janet said...

There is only one you need to please and that is your Father in heaven. Honor and glorify Him first and always. This coming from a people pleaser.....it's good for me to write and be reminded. Dear Emma, you continue to love the Lord with all your heart and he will show you just what he wants you to do. There is nothing better than being in the will of God!!! Love you. Aunt Janet

Amy said...

This is something I struggle with still. I keep thinking there are these expectations of me to be something. But when I actually sit down to think about it, there are no expectations besides my own and I have yet to define what those expectations are.
Graduation is scary but exciting at the same time!

Donna Boucher said...

Not a lot...sweetie. A few. Perhaps.
Keep listening to the holy spirit. He's right there.

Listen to the good words. The true and wise words.
Cast aside to wrong words. They are not from God.

Love you,
Mom

Kristin said...

Thank you for speaking such godly wisdom!

mama, ph.d. said...

I usually don't link to other articles, but this one speaks to you (and to me!)

http://www.cny.org/stories/The-Secret-of-Success-Redefined,4483?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=success&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=

Lorie said...

Came over from your mom's blog. Lovin' what I'm reading. Keep writing, okay? :o)

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