Who are you really

Most people are desensitized to the unofficial American greeting. "Who are you and what do you do?" is just a social nicety we expect.

We're even programmed to answer with short, clear phrases:

"I'm Jodi, home health care nurse."
"Katherine, divorced mom of one."
"It's Emily, blogger and church volunteer."

These post-comma words give us a feeling of security. They let us categorize an identity quickly and easily: "This is me in a nutshell."

But our short answers are never the whole story, are they? We are far more complex characters than a simple job, label, or role can encompass. (pg. 10)

Before long, though, we've polished a set of post-comma words -- the nice, little list you offer when someone asks . . .

So what's your post-comma story?

• "I'm Beth, and I'm a mom, a hiker, a creative, and a civil servant." (Wait, civil servants can be creative?)
• "I'm Julianne, and I'm a successful, thin, happy, gorgeous model wife with two perfect children." (No one likes Julianne much.)
• "I'm Trish, and I'm a Sunday school teacher, welcome desk receptionist, member of the prayer team, and women's ministry volunteer." (That's a lot of time spent at church!)
• "I'm Candace, and I'm a recent divorcee with three kids and a home-based photography business I'm determined to keep afloat." (Candace needs lots of hugs.)

If you'd asked me for my post-comma words a few years ago, I'd have offered: wife, daughter, sister to six, creative, cook, church goer, perfectionist, organizer, leader, introvert, good girl, teacher reader. (pg. 20-21)*

But like the title of the book where I confessed I hated most of my post-comma words . . . grace changes everything. Especially who we think we are.

A new post-comma list

When we accept Jesus as Savior, God gives us a brand new identity. Suddenly, in Christ you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) with a beautiful standing before God. Truths like righteous (Romans 5:17), justified (Romans 3:23-24), adopted (Ephesians 1:5), and accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6) now apply.

As we grow in grace, the Holy Spirit guides us into the truth of what these mean in everyday life. Not to mention, the post-comma list is more glorious than ever before!

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Prayer for today

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that You never ask me "who are you and what do you do?" That instead, by Your grace, You give me a secure position in Christ and a new identity. Help me to grow in grace so I understand who You say I am and hold that truth in my heart. I'm excited about the post-comma words You write for me!  Amen.