For years
I struggled with my identity and knowing who I was and where I came from. I was
ignorant to the rich history behind both of my Latinx roots. I was created by
my mother, a Peruvian and my father, a Puerto Ricans. Both were Latinx's and
proud of their heritage, however neither shared my skin tone. Especially, not
my "white", American [step]-dad.***
I grew up
confused as to why I enjoyed hip-hop and not the rock my family enjoyed
(although I do enjoy some alternative/pop-rock). Confused as to why my skin had
melanin that made it a caramel complexion in the summer versus the lighter,
reddish tones my family gained, etc.
While I
grew up in a Christian home, I didn't seek God until I became a mother and
realized how much God had protected me; that even in the midst of the messiness
and brokenness my life reflected, He loved me. He had been so kind to me throughout
all of the years of my rebellion and when I FINALLY realized it, it was
overwhelming. I still don't feel deserving of His love, but He gives it to me
anyway and for that I will be FOREVER grateful.
Anyway, I
FINALLY discovered, who my worth lies in and where it comes from and that's our
Lord! I hope that these next couple of posts reaffirm your worth and allow you
to realize that the world doesn't determine it because the Lord did that before
you were even thought of by any human being!
***I refuse to call the man that raised me, and
helped make me the woman I am today my step-dad, because I see it as an insult.
However, to make it easier to understand the brief explanation of my childhood
I've used the term here, very lightly because Neil is in fact my dad, daddy,
father and always will be.
- believers are God's children
John 1:12
(NLT)
“but to all who believed him and accepted him,
he gave the right to become children of God.”
1 John 3:1 (NIV)
"See how
very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what
we are! . . . "
Galatians
3:26-29 (NIV)
"For you
are all children (sons) of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have
been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new
clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For
you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the
true children (seed) of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God's promise to
Abraham belongs to you." (Genesis 12:3)
Ephesians 1:4-5 (MSG)
“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is!
He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of
blessing in Him. Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He has us
in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy
by His love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through
Jesus Christ. . . “
Galatians
4:4-5 (NLT)
“but when
the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God
sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could
adopt us as His very own children.”
- believers are God’s
heirs
Romans
8:14-17 (NLT)
“For all
who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received
a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when
he adopted you as his own children. Now we call Him, Abba, Father.” For His
Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we
are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs
of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His
suffering.”
Galatians
4:6-7 (NLT)
“and
because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our
hearts, prompting us to call out, Abba, Father. Now you are no longer a slave
but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir.”
- believers are a
blessing from God
This
section mainly talks to parents about who their children are in God’s eyes; however,
we were all (or still are) our parents’ children and therefore should know and acknowledge
that we are a gift to our parents from the Lord!
Psalms 127:
3 (NLT)
“Children
are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.”
My prayer
is that whatever identity issues you are struggling with currently that they
are laid at the feet of Christ. Know that the thoughts of you feeling
inadequate, unworthy, etc., are thoughts from the devil himself. He will
forever try and guide you away from knowing your true value, which is in Christ
Jesus, in order to keep you from your calling. Don’t let him!
Jesus loves
you so much, so much so that He created you uniquely, fearfully, and
wonderfully.
