Ah those teenage years can be filled with moments of angst, searching and testing.  The phase of our life when we are supposed to start figuring out who we really are. 

Is it not why we are graced by adolescence? 

The search for identity, for purpose.  The striving for popularity, which at its core is a mere attempt to find a place of belonging and affirmation of love. 

When we ask the questions:
     “Am I liked?”
                    “Do I matter?”
                                   “Do I belong?”

As I tickle 40 and look back to those teenage years, I can tell you that it is an endless cycle that will suffocate you into adulthood if you allow it.  Chasing affirmation from the world is a bit like chasing the wind.  Sure, it can be exhilarating at first, in a wind-in-your-face, hair-tousling effortlessly for the perfect Instagram shot sort of way...
 
...but exhausting when you realize that there is no finish line, and keeping up demands a pace that is impossible to maintain.
 
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NLT)

I recently completed a training to become a registered Holy Yoga instructor, more on that later, but during our intensive retreat, founder Brooke Boon reminded us of a truth that I learned nearly 10 years ago which transformed my search of who I really am…

“We are called to be image bearers [of Christ], not image creators.”

We don’t have to create who we are, or hide behind facades of who we’d like to be. 

We have already been created, in His image, for His purposes. 

The work before each of us then, is one of discovery.  As we learn more about God, we learn more about ourselves.  We learn more about the image that we were created to reflect.  We learn how to chose light, not darkness.  We learn how to use the very passions and talents that God uniquely put in each of us for good in the world, for His glory.

That is who you really are.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27(NLT)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.  Before you were born I set you apart!  Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

Identity is such an important place to start with teenagers.  But what does that really mean?  I admit I really didn’t start becoming self-aware of my own identity until I was in my twenties and probably didn’t get comfortable in my own skin until I was in my thirties.  Ok, I’m still cozying in on some days.

According to Mr. Webster, identity is who someone is, the qualities, beliefs, etc. that make a particular person or group different from others.

I think until someone accurately understands who they are at their core – the truthful version of who they are, who they were created to be, then they can’t possibly live up to their fullest potential.  Unfortunately the world is quick to dish up lies to convince you that you are less than or different from who you were actually created to be.  You aren’t pretty enough, skinny enough, funny enough, smart enough.  To which I say…

Enough.

I want to start with the basics.  Child. Of. God.  That’s who you are. At your core, your absolute foundation.  You were created by and for the Most High King.  He gives us all the right to become Children of God.  A Daughter of the King.  Think about what that means – the weight that carries.  Now I wonder, do you conduct yourself in such a manner?  Do you exercise the freedom that brings? Freedom to feel worthy, beautiful, precious in His sight. Entitled to your rightful place in His Kingdom, but not arrogant or boastful, but accepting – with humble gratitude. For you did nothing to earn your position, you were merely created for it, born into it.  Yes, let’s start there.

He loves you child. He’s wild about you. That’s who you are.

And here's a picture for your viewing pleasure, yes I'm really this dorky!