My friends, Terrance and Lisa, began dating in college and after six years of being together, they got married. I’ve noticed that Terrance hasn’t been himself lately, and when I asked him about it, he said, “I thought I knew what I wanted out of life, but now I don’t know what I want. I don’t even know who I am anymore.” People have always told me that I’m easy to talk to, and many of my friends have felt comfortable sharing things with me that they probably wouldn’t trust to anyone else. So, the fact that Terrance shared this with me wasn’t a surprise, but I must admit that I was shocked to hear that he was so unhappy. He always had a strong sense of self and had been a very confident person. I was curious why he felt so lost and wondered if he had been wearing a mask all along.
As children, many of us were taught that we can be anything we want, from a candle-stick maker to the president of a country. We were taught to believe that the sky is the limit. Personally, I wanted to become a dentist, and had all my ducks lined in a row to make it happen. As my life progressed and opportunities opened up to me, it became apparent that dentistry would not be my path. Sure, at first, I was disappointed. I wanted to make my parents proud, and I wanted the lifestyle that I felt the profession would give me. I liked knowing exactly what I wanted to do. It made me feel that I had control over my life, but that’s the thing about life; it quickly shows you that you’re not the one in control.
The Apostle Paul said in 1Corinthians 13:12(NLT), “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” Paul is speaking of the times when we can’t see the reflection in the mirror of who we were created to be. When we try to see ourselves outside of Christ, we are like infants, speaking gibberish from a mind that isn’t renewed and a heart that hasn’t been changed by God’s Word. In that kind of shape, no matter how much we think we know or how smart we might be, you and I see things imperfectly. Our vision is skewed because we’re not focused on Christ. We can’t see the whole picture, but when we understand that our identity is in Christ, this changes our entire perspective and reality. We can then see very clearly that we are in the process of becoming the person God created us to be, and He didn’t keep it a secret that our final destination is Jesus Christ. God’s Son is the blueprint for our lives.
We are identified in Christ to represent Christ. That’s God’s plan! We think we’re in charge, but we couldn’t possibly be. Many people have neglected to follow God’s plan and come up with their own agendas. When we do this, and we refuse to consult God’s plan and purpose or to follow it, the result will be sadness, confusion, and chaos. Romans 1:20-21(NLT) tells us, “20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.” We can’t come up with false ideas about God and His sovereignty and be okay. We have to really love Him and live through Him as we continue growing in Christ.
It is very easy to become lost and confused when a person isn’t sure of their identity and refuses to acknowledge that God alone directs our paths. This is how idolatry creeps in. Idolatry is a practice of not worshipping our Creator, the One True God, but instead, letting someone or something else dominate our minds and hearts. This cuts us off from God and causes major sabotage in our lives. God created us to worship. It’s part of our makeup, and every living person either worships someone or something. Romans 1:22 tells us that many people who refused to follow and worship God claim to be wise, but they aren’t wise at all. This verse tells us they become utter fools.
Romans 1:23(NLT) states, “And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.” In Biblical times, many people worshiped the creation and chose not to worship the Creator, and this is the greatest mistake any person can make. They began to worship the sun, moon, stars, and even angels. They’d make a statue and begin to worship and make sacrifices to it. Throughout the Old Testament, God implored His people not to worship idols, because this was a terrible offense to Him. But they didn’t listen.
These idolatrous practices continue today. In modern times, people worship celebrities, cars, money, clothes and fashion brands. They’ve added many other objects of their obsession to the practice of idolatry. Instead of honoring their relationship with God, they worship other relationships with people and allow them to become the central focus of their lives. Then, when those people disappoint them, as my friends, Terrance and Lisa, disappointed each other, the individuals and their relationships begin to crumble. And it’s because they’ve tried to build their lives on each other rather than on God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ said in Luke 6:46-47(NLT), “46 So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
You and I have been given the great privilege to build our lives knowing and living through our true identity in Christ. If we don’t know who we are in Christ, we need to go to God’s Word and find out, so that we don’t build our lives on a shaky foundation. Things fall through the cracks very quickly if we try to do that. We must love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. He is the One that holds our lives together through our faith in Him, and we must never forget this. We don’t have to see our lives imperfectly. We must repent of the sin of putting anything or anyone before our Heavenly Father. When we do this and seek His forgiveness, Jesus Christ will give us perfect vision. Then, we can walk in his power and authority and love others through his perfect love. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Worshipping Our Glorious, Ever-Living God”, written by JMack, 4theChristianMan.com© 2022. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.