Identity - who you are.

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!

In my urban youth ministry days, I planned a young girls retreat along with these two ladies, themed, IDK – I’m a Daughter of the King. I thought this was very clever and cool, apparently I thought the same about perms – which I am most certainly rock’n. Should have left those back in the 80’s…

Nevertheless...I'm so grateful for the reminders:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I  praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  1 John 2:3a

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10