One year and two days ago my friend, Kent Collins, fell 18 feet while we were preparing to hang Christmas lights, and he was badly injured. You can read about the event here. It was miraculous that he survived but it was questionable as to whether or not he would be able to return to his career as a fire fighter. About a month ago Kent returned to work.
It was a rough year for Kent. He hated being out of the game. He was in a wheel chair for a while, then had a cane. Now he’s back to work, but some of his injuries will never fully heal. I share this today because I identify with Kent’s feelings. It’s a tough thing for a man to be without work or for his effectiveness to diminish. It’s degrading, depressing, frustrating, and emasculating. Men find their identity in work. I know I’m guilty of this.
When I feel this way I must remember that work doesn’t define me. Success doesn’t define me. Health doesn’t define me. Even failure doesn’t define me. Christ Jesus defines me. I am loved by Him. I am empowered by Him. I am used by Him. I am wanted by Him. I am forgiven by Him. I am saved by Him. I belong to Him.
Whatever you’re struggling with today, remember your struggles don’t define you. What others think of you doesn’t define you. Neither success, work, money, power, things, people, family, nor friends define who you are. You are loved. You are wanted. If you know Jesus, remember these things. If you don’t yet know Him, believe that He gave everything for you and that He wants you to be saved, forgiven, empowered, and a part of His family. Give yourself fully to Christ!
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free— signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
~Eph 1:11-14 (MSG)
