A New
Identity by Renee Davis God Calls You
When we were kids,
my cousin and I would “play
school” all summer long.
We’d take turns (though we
often argued about it first) being
the teacher and the student. We’d
make up our own classroom rules,
worksheets, and even dress up
accordingly.
The best part was we could pick a new
name; have a new identity. Sometimes I’d
purposefully get into trouble with my elevenyear
old cousin/teacher, just so I could see
her write T-A-W-N-Y on the poster board that
served as our classroom chalkboard. It was
the most beautiful sounding name I’d ever
heard.
I got that name from a waitress at our local
Pizza Hut, circa 1980. She was everything I
wanted to grow up to be—smart, pretty, kind,
and very generous when it mattered most,
like when it was time to refill soda glasses.
My new identity made me feel smart,
pretty, brave, and special—like I could do
anything!
But when imaginary school was over, I
had to go back to the real world. No matter
how much I wanted it to be so, I just couldn’t
be Tawny. The world wouldn’t let me.
As I grew older, playing games like pretend
school weren’t as much fun. I began to listen
to the world tell me I wasn’t all that smart or
pretty, I was way too skinny and tall, I was
scared to death of just about everything. I
just couldn’t do much of anything right.
Unfortunately, I believed the world.
That contributed to a life of fear and
anxiety, defeat, and self-deprecation. I knew
about God and His love for me, but there
30 kojministries.org Issue 4 2017
was a huge disconnect between
knowledge and application. I didn’t
link His love for me with my real
worth and true identity until well
into my adulthood.
I understood who He was and
that I was His child, but I had no
concept of what that meant for
me, aside from spending eternity
with Him. I didn’t understand that,
by knowing my identity was found
in Him, I would be able to distinguish
between fact and fiction, truth and untruth.
I didn’t know that it could give me power
over the lies of a dark world.
Have you been trying to find your identity
in the world?
I sought my worth—or the lack thereof—
in the world, instead of looking for who He
says I am within the pages of His Word. And,
honestly, I still do that sometimes.
I just forget.
Do you?
I get wrapped up in all the chaos that goes
on in my tiny world. Before I know it, my
head is filled with wrong messages, lies, and
negative self-talk that I’d be embarrassed to
share with you. Oh, the things I’ve said to
myself and called myself—the names I’ve
given myself throughout my life and even
this week!
So, just in case I’m not the only one, here
(and on page 37) are ten verses, taken from
the Amplified Bible, that have helped me not
only realize my true identity but have also
served as reminders when the world gets the
best of me and I forget the truth.
When someone has called me names,
when I’ve given myself an ugly name or
two, or when I find myself wishing my name
was something else, these verses center
me. They’ve been a comfort in times of
heartache, given me courage on scary days,
and revealed to me the affectionate and
beautiful names my Father calls me.
It’s my prayer that, if you’ve also had a
rough go of things lately and have found
yourself discouraged and listening to the lies
of the enemy, these verses will encourage
you and remind you of your real identity—
the person God knows you to be—the
person you really are in Him.
Because that, my friend, is all that really
matters.
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Loved: Romans 8:35–37
Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ?
Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or danger, or sword?… Yet in all
these things we are more than conquerors and gain
an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us
so much that He died for us.
Friend: John 15:15
I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant
does not know what his master is doing; but I have
called you My friends, because I have revealed to
you everything that I have heard from My Father.
Redeemed: Romans 3:22–25
This righteousness of God comes through faith in
Jesus Christ for all those…who believe. There is no
distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall
short of the glory of God, and are being justified…
as a gift by His…grace, through the redemption…
which is provided in Christ Jesus, whom God
displayed publicly…as a life-giving sacrifice of
atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His
blood to be received through faith.
Protected: Psalm 3:3
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and
my honor, and the One who lifts my head.
Bold: Psalm 138:3
On the day I called, You answered me; and You
made me bold and confident with renewed
strength in my life.
continued on page 37
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