Many years ago, I was blessed to attend a disciple building process by an organization called 3D Movements. I was invited to an introductory weekend to get a taste of what the two-year program would entail. I arrived with the pastor of the church I was attending at the time and his wife. We checked in, went into the sanctuary, found some seats, and waited. The Co-founders of 3D Movements came out, introduced themselves, explained how the two day "taster" would go and then we went into worship. After this time of praise, there was a teaching about the Great Commission and then an announcement that we would all be moving into some small groups called "huddles." We had all been assigned into our particular huddle with six people being in each one. 

We all exited and went to find our huddle groups. I located the group I had been assigned to and sat down on a chair arraigned with 6 other chairs in a circle. Once everyone arrived, our huddle leader introduced himself. He happened to be the other Co-founder of the movement! He asked each of us to introduce ourselves, the church we were from and what our position was at the church. The first two people in my group were senior pastors at their churches. Another was the daughter of the other Co-Founder who was training to lead within the 3D Movement. The next was a seminary student who was a youth pastor at his church. I was the last to share. After stating my name and the church I attended, I stated "I'm just the drummer at my church." My huddle lead turned and looked at me and stated "You have an identity problem." I looked back at him and said "Huh?" He asked me " Do you think God loves these people more than you? You're not 'Just a drummer' you're a child of God, equally loved and important as everyone here." 

WOW! I was in an identity crisis and didn't know it! I hadn't truly embraced my identity as a beloved child of God. I began think and focus more on this revelation. I realized that God's love is the same for everyone, even non-believers. I recognized that I hadn't really put the importance of my identity in Christ into my life, but as I focused more on it, my life was transformed. 

Now I understand that my worth and value come from being a child of God, not from external factors like achievements, the expectations of others, and things I accumulate or possess. (Matthew 16:26)

As I go through my day as a child of God, I seek to align my actions, thoughts, and values with God's word and Christ's example. I go out in submission to God, being obedient to His plan for my life. This obedience is not done to earn favor with God, I already have that from my identity as God's child. Rather, I go out from my identity to be obedient to God. In other words, I am not obedient to God to earn my identity, but from my identity as His child I want to be obedient to Him out of my love for Him. I seek to live out qualities such as love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility, just as Jesus modeled for us through His life on earth. (Colossians 3:12-14)

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior and given your life to Him, you too are a child of God. Anchor your identity in Christ. Surrender control of your life to Him. Trust in your Heavenly Father and His plan for you. Seek His guidance for all aspects of your life. This can bring a deep sense of peace and security, knowing you're not alone and are held by the loving hands of God. 

Go out and embrace your identity!