What narrative are you believing? What labels do you allow to identify you?

The stories people tell about us, become our identity when we don’t purposely CHOOSE God’s narrative.

God says, ” I love you for who you are, not for what you can do.” Man says, ” I love you for what you do and not for who you are.”

Knowing this, we still fall into the roles we use to hang our worth on. Beautiful. Smart. Competent. Go-Getter. Tenacious. Superwoman. Got-It-All-Together. Perfect Wife. Efficient. Perfect Mom. Career. Wealth. Generous. ____________Fill in the blank.

We fear that if people really knew we weren’t the epitome of our labels, we would be rejected and lonely. If we aren’t hustling and achieving, then who is going to give accolades to feed our need for affirmation? We’ve shifted our focus on filling our tank with man pleasing instead of sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Have you ever thought about life, living in total freedom to be you? The YOU that God created, not the you that you try to be? I love the picture of the birds in this blog post. Such a good reminder of the uniqueness and way God designs each of us. Only we can be us. Only you can be you. Only they can be them. Why try to be a copy when you were made an original? Sure, not overtly copy another person, but inwardly harbor envy over another person’s strengths or gifting. Meanwhile your unique strengths and gifting is laying dormant at the door of a falsely created identity. Internal turmoil breeds in dissatisfaction.

When we choose God’s narrative, there is peace and freedom. It’s where abundant life is found. When we look back at our own narrative that we tried to write, we’re tired, anxious and most likely endured a lot of pain in the process.

I’m not saying, God’s narrative is pain-free or conflict-free. What I am saying is that He promises to work all things together for our good. We can’t do that on our own.

When we get to the root of wanting to write our own story, ultimately it’s rooted in fear, and lack of trust. We struggle letting go of the pen because we can’t grasp fully that He is for us. That He is good and that He knows what is best. We believe, we do.

Stop striving, stop looking for that next affirmation from those around you, stop over-compensating and over-thinking. Stop hustling for man’s accolades and sit at the feet of Jesus. Stop. Breathe in and stop.

Being set free and walking in freedom are very different things. One was done for us and the other one we choose. Choose to give up control and walk in freedom. We create burdens that we were never meant to carry when we write the story.

Let go of the pen and allow God to write the story of your destiny. Your purpose, ultimately fulfilled in Him. “God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 28‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:27-28

❤ Jen