When his wife saw the situation transpire ahead of her, she pulled herself and their children out of line.
Who knew if their passports might be “marked” too? Unexpected situations expose where our identity is found. Who defines you? Who or what is the basis of your identity? I propose we must believe what our Creator says about us. We must let His Word, and His alone, define who we are. This is the final blog in our series on marriage. What does this topic have to do with marriage? Bottom line: Your identity cannot be found in your marriage. If it is, then what will you be when unexpected situations arise? Instead, believe what your Creator says about you. And what does He say? “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…” (Jer 1:5) “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” (Ps 139:1) “For we are God’s masterpiece.” (Eph 2:10 NLT) “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen 1:27) “The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” (Deut 7:6) “From one man he (God) made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he (God) determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” (Acts 17:26, parentheses mine) You are created on purpose, for a purpose, in the image of your Creator, in love. In a podcast series on Biblical Self-Care, Dayle Annand and I discussed lies that limit our self-care. In it we addressed this concept of identity. Here’s a paraphrase of Dayle’s thoughtful insight:
What defines the value of a piece of art?
Let’s consider Da Vinci’s Last Supper. Let’s say today there is someone as, or more, talented then Da Vinci. And let’s say this artist determines to duplicate Da Vinci’s Last Supper. He does an amazing job. To an untrained eye, you could not distinguish the duplicate from the original. Then let’s say that each piece is for sale. One would be of great value, yet the other would be priceless. Why? Because it is the creator who gives the art it’s value. It’s deeper than the art itself (though it is wonderful).
And who or what gives you your worth and value?
It is not your husband. It is not your marriage. It is your Creator! You are created by God in His image! He is the Master Artist, and you are the art of His skilled hand. He knit you together in your mother’s womb. (Ps 139) He chose the specific time, and exact place for you to live. (Acts 17:26) He set you apart as His own. (Deut 7:6, John 1:12, 1 Pet 2:9) Then, so He could have unhindered relationship with you, He died for you. (John 3:16) You are loved. You are valued. Do not let your spouse, parent, friend, role, affiliation, or anyone or anything else define you. Christ alone. When your identity is found in Christ, no unexpected situation can shift it. As I write, the couple described at the beginning haven’t seen each other for five months. Tomorrow, they are scheduled for a reunion in another country. And after 19 years for this missionary family, when the wife and children leave, they too, will not be allowed back into the country that has become their home. What has this situation revealed about this couple’s identity? In their own words… “None of this is what we would have chosen. It didn’t take long, however, to pivot and ask a question we have continued to ask since: what does this make possible?” I teared up when I first read it, and I tear up now as I reflect on their unwavering commitment to and identity in Christ alone. The situation did not send them into a tailspin. They didn’t ignore the feelings of shock, anger, and sadness that arose. Yet their Lord determines their value and their way. They submitted to Him, and He has seen them through. By the time you read this, God-willing, they will be together again. Who defines you? Believe what your Creator says about you. Let His Word, and His alone, define who you are. You, and your marriage, will be better for it. © Sanctuary of Home™ All Rights Reserved
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
All Scripture references, unless otherwise indicated, are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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