Digging Deeper:

Regarding our identity...

Make no mistake, one’s personal identity is very important for a variety of reasons, the foremost being its effect on how we live our lives and determine our priorities. If I were to ask you “who are you”, you might say, “a feedlot manager”, or “a married mom with three kids” or “a vegetarian”. All may be true, but they do not tell who you are. Most tell what you do or your situation, but not who you are. Your self-assessed identity also tells a lot about your value system.

So, what happens when you lose your job and your “feedlot manager” title, or you become divorced and now are a single mom with three kids? It now becomes obvious that a misplaced identity can lead to feelings of anger, rejection, fear and even depression.

“Identity” is the key component to understanding what happens when we become followers of Christ. We receive a new nature and a new identity. At one time I would have identified myself as a veterinarian who happens to be a Christian. Today that has been realigned and I am firmly a Christian who happens to be a veterinarian. If you take away my identity as a veterinarian, it barely leaves a mark. Being a vet is what I do, but it is not who I am. My identity as a follower of Christ will be attacked and mocked, but the fact is it is not who I am but whose I am.

Consider some of the many Bible verses below that speak to our identity as Christians:

• Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Cor. 5:17)

• I am a saint (Eph. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2)

• I am a son of God and one in Christ (Gal. 3:26, 28)

• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4)

Regarding our priorities...

• For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:34)

• For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37)

• Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. (Matthew 6:19)

Regarding balance, order and discipline...

With our priorities misplaced or misdirected, we stand a huge chance of missing the good and important things in life. In the Biblical story of Mary and Martha, Martha was worried about work and all the details and getting the seemingly urgent things done.

Luke 10:38-42: 38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

She then ended up missing the best part which was right in front of her. Be careful not to give up valuable time with someone today that cannot be recaptured in the future.

Take care of what takes care of us...

The logic of taking care of what takes care of us is especially relevant for those of us who live in rural America. The imagery is especially clear when we talk about taking care of our equipment, our livestock and the many other tools and resources we need to get the job done and be successful. Breakdowns are not only expensive but can become the source of significant failure.

So, what is it that keeps many of us from giving God priority in our day by spending some time in His Word and in prayer? I was issued a challenge almost 40 years ago that changed my life. That challenge was to spend five minutes a day studying and reading the Bible, not missing a day. When I started, I knew nothing about the Bible and would not have considered myself a Christian. Now, all of these years later, I see that this small investment has significantly changed my life, my priorities and my identity.

Here is the challenge. Prioritize 10 minutes into your schedule each morning, spending 5 minutes reading His Word and 5 minutes in prayer. First thing in the morning is best because your mind is clear and free from distraction and ready to receive. Take 5 minutes in prayer to honor Him laying out your needs and concerns with thanksgiving. Join us in the discipline to get our priorities straight and honor the One who takes care of us.

The following articles have been translated into Spanish: