Sometimes we let our culture define our identity. They stamp us as disgraced, non-acceptable or odd by their own standard of conformity. We thoughtlessly accept what they have to say and live with an erroneous belief of who we are. To clarify, identity is recognizing who we are as an individual.
We are not surprised at distorted identities or phony labels in our world today. However, at the beginning of the Christmas story in Luke 1 we find a woman who faced an identity crisis in her life. A woman not as well-known as Mary, but who played a vital role in the Christmas story.
Elizabeth’s Identity
Elizabeth, wife of Zacharias, was labeled by her peers as displeasing to God. Furthermore, her infertility classified her as disgraced in her community. In the Biblical era people had the mistaken perception that barrenness meant God’s displeasure.
Consequently, Elizabeth had lived long and lonely years with a phony identity thrust upon her by her culture. She was tormented with the thought that she had somehow displeased Jehovah. Moreover, Elizabeth knew the agony of an empty womb, as well as the mixed feelings of heartache and joy as she watched her friends give birth to children and eventually, those children marry and have children of their own.
Are you struggling with an identity that is not yours to own?
Have you let the culture define who you are?
It is our Creator alone who has the right to place a distinct name upon you.
Though Elizabeth’s community marked her as disgraced, God filled her with grace. During those long years of misspoken identity Elizabeth forged a relationship with God. Though she struggled with feelings of emptiness and sorrow; Elizabeth used her situation to take steps closer to God. He had an individual plan to draw Elizabeth near to Himself.
What about you?
Are you letting your troubles draw you closer to God or push you away from Him?
Keeping Company with God
How do we know that Elizabeth used her troubles to keep company with God?
Elizabeth is introduced in the first chapter of the book of Luke. Her introduction was given by God. In fact, God identified her as righteous. (1:6) The word righteous implies conformity to God’s standard. Thus, we see that Elizabeth was approved by God.
Elizabeth’s story reminds us that the most significant thing in our life is how God describes us. On the other hand, the labels others impose on us are trivial at best, though undeniably hurtful.
Elizabeth had borne the whispers and pointing fingers of her community. Moreover, she had felt the suffocating misery of being clutched in a circumstance she had no control over. The struggle against discouragement and unbelief was real. Elizabeth knew the throes of disappointment. Yet she also knew the sustaining power of Jehovah God.
Elizabeth’s relationship was forged by a definitive turning to God in the face of her struggles. She cultivated a quiet spirit of trust amid her adversity. Equally important, Elizabeth chose to turn her back on the phony labels of her culture and claim the name God had for her. Accepted and Beloved.
When God brought the miracle of pregnancy into Elizabeth’s life, she proclaimed the ‘kindness of God’. (1:25) As God rearranged her misconstrued identity, others were able to see the inner life with God that she had cultivated. Furthermore, Elizabeth chose to let God define her identity.
How are you turning away from phony labels that crop up in your life?
Are you able to accept who God says you are?
Begin by cultivating your God-relationship within your season of struggle. Then quiet your heart to hear the whisper of God as he identifies you as His own beloved child.
A New Story
Six months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy, her cousin Mary shows up on her doorstep. It was a God thing. Another sign of God’s acceptance of Elizabeth. Furthermore, God validated Elizabeth’s relationship with Himself when she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth rejoiced over the coming birth of her Lord and Savior, Jesus. (1:39-43)
As Elizabeth pulled her young cousin into a welcoming hug, she pronounced a blessing on Mary.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
Luke 1:45
For the past months Elizabeth had lived with the mute testament of her husband’s unbelief. In Mary, she recognized an unadulterated trust in God.
How about you?
Do tears slip down your cheeks as hurtful words pierce your soul?
Has the burden you carry become too heavy to bear?
Are you struggling with misconstrued identity that only highlights your insecurity?
Do the promises of God seem too good to be true in the face of your insurmountable circumstances?
Real Identity in God
You, with tears streaming down your cheeks, bent low beneath your load, you are the reason Jesus came down from heaven.
The awkward, insecure labels that others identify you by, or maybe that you have erroneously claimed as your own can be rearranged by God. In God, your real identity can be found. He alone has the right to name you. To find the secret of your identity you must accept who God says you are.
He calls you Loved. (Jeremiah 31:3)
He calls you Redeemed. (Ephesian 1:7)
He calls you Chosen. (Ephesians 1:4)
He calls you Accepted. (Ephesians 1:6)
During this Christmas season you may be facing tear-jerking hardship. In the hard, clasp close the promises of God and recognize the Hope found in the manger. Like Elizabeth, keep company with God. Moreover, decisively turn toward God in the face of adversity. In the turning, your soul will be renewed and strengthened.
Finally, remember ‘Whose’ you are. God hasn’t forgotten you. He will step into your story and make a difference. He calls you Accepted and Beloved. You are a dear daughter of the King.
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