HE WANTS YOUR IDENTITY

"My old identity has been co-crucified with Christ and no longer lives..." - Galatians 2:20

Changing your identity is at the very center of Christianity. Becoming "born again" is to be made new by asking Jesus to live inside of us via his Holy Spirit. We are joining our identities with Him. Our lives are no longer just about following our own desires. Our lives begin to embody the character of Jesus.

Definition of identity: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.

What better way for us to learn about who we are than by asking Holy Spirit? The very spirit who designed us in our mother's womb. When you begin to trust that Holy Spirit wants the very best for you, you will start to release your grip on controlling your destiny. If you say "yes" when you hear the voice of God, you will begin aligning yourself with His perfect will and your God-given identity.

A couple of years ago, I started asking Holy Spirit for direction (literally) when I would go on a run in my neighborhood. I began feeling a pull to go in different directions when I ran. That pull began to spill out into other areas of my life, and eventually, I strengthened that "muscle" and started hearing counsel from God.

In 2020 I heard Holy Spirit tell me to open a photography business in the middle of a global pandemic. While the timing was a daunting idea in itself, I had a history as a hobby photographer but always lacked any self-confidence in my skills. For 15+ years, I believed I would never be talented enough to charge for my work. But even though I was afraid no one would book a session with me, I went ahead and trusted in Holy Spirit's guidance. I created a social media presence for my new-founded business with photos I'd taken for free over the years. And something funny happened. I got booked! Over and over and over with all sorts of photo sessions. While shooting, I quickly realized how I felt like a misshaped puzzle piece that finally clicked into its perfect space. My desires began to fall in line with the instruction God gave me. Not one year later, I received this review from one of my clients:

"Your love for photography and capturing life moments is so very evident! I've recommended you to so many people - before ever seeing any photos. The engagement and hype you bring to a session is unmatched and makes a world of difference! 🤍🤍"

When I got this text, I burst into tears. This client already raved over her photos and still felt the desire to go a step further to give me this beautiful complement. A year before, I believed the lie that I would never be talented or confident enough to do professional photography. If not for that nudge from Holy Spirit and my "yes", I would still believe that lie. By handing over the reins to Holy Spirit and saying "yes," I now identify as a daughter of the King and a professional photographer.

"For my thoughts are not like your thoughts, and my ways are different from yours. 9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so my ways and my thoughts are higher than yours. 10 "As the snow and rain that fall from heaven do not return until they have accomplished their purpose, soaking the earth and causing it to sprout with new life, providing seed to sow and bread to eat. 11 So also will be the word that I speak; it does not return to me unfulfilled. My word performs my purpose and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish." - Isaiah 55:8-11

His ways are so much higher than our ways. His purpose is far more fulfilling and joy-filled than what we can dream up on our own. You can buy a cooking pot from the supermarket and insist on using it as a chair. While technically it will work, it will never fulfill its true purpose and potential- to cook and hold beautiful, nourishing meals to sustain the household.

You have a divine purpose. Your identity and purpose are marked on you, at birth, by God. When you align yourself with His plans for your life, you unlock your true, God-given potential.

"...And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one!" - Galatians 2:20