Who are you?? Where is your identity??

God has really convicted me lately of being selfish. I so often find myself focusing all my energy on ME, when...if I would only look up and look out...I would see people around me who need me, and God could use me to help.

Now, I'll preface this whole thing by saying, I am NOTHING without God. I am merely flesh and bones, and He has chosen to use me as a pipeline to do His work. It's a humble honor, and I am not perfect...I screw it up sometimes...OK, a lot...but He still uses me, and I can look back and see how He has helped people through me. Trust me, there is no pride in that....it's humbling to see how inadequate I really am, and then to see a BIG God use me anyway. It's crazyness.

But anyways, I was recently introduced to a young lady to is SOOOOOOO boy crazy!! My goodness, she goes through guys like I go through toothpaste!! (A lot in a short amount of time, I promise). But it bothered me that she would do and say things that I'm sure she didn't mean, but it was all to get attention from a guy. I would get so frustrated and (here's a look into my imperfection...warning...) I would be nice to her, and talk to her and try to get her focused on the Lord, but as soon as she was gone, or I was talking to someone else, I would vent and just go off on how immature and ridiculous this girl was. (Immature of ME, I know...) Well, I was talking to a mutual friend about a situation, and the friend told me that this girl obviously found her identity in guys. If she didn't have a guy around to tell her how wonderful and beautiful and amazing she was, then she didn't feel worth anything. Of course, deep down I knew this, but I was getting focused on how frustrated she made ME, not thinking of how much she really needed to focus on who she is in Christ (yes, she's a Christian). The mutual friend explained to me that she believed God put me in this girl's life because I've been there...I've been in the relationship that I knew was not godly and was not following a path that it should go, but who would I be without this guy attached to my hip?? God finally opened my eyes and pried me away from this (really awesome, really nice, good Christian) guy...who just happened to not be the one for me. He's great...love him to death...as a brother in Christ, but he's just not the one. Anyway, I've been there, and I've come across to through that and now I know that I am who God has made me to be. My identity is ME in Jesus Christ. I don't have to try to be someone I'm not. God made me just the way I am: physically - I'm not a 10...I'm prolly a 7 or 8, but that's ok...God made me and this is how he WANTS me to look; socially - I'm not very witty or funny...I like to have a good time, and I believe people enjoy my presence, but I'm not the life of the party...usually...and that's ok, because that how God wants me to be; spiritually - I'm not an angel, I'm not a saint, I'm just a college girl seeking hard after Christ and all He wants me to do and be; mentally - I've done great in school, I was saludatorian of my class, but there is ALWAYS someone smarter than me, and that's ok. I do the best I can in every area, and I leave my potential in God's hands. He will lead me and guide me where He wants me to be. It's up to me to do my best...to try...to plan and set goals and work hard, but it's all completely in His hands....AND THAT'S OK. My identity is not in anything other than who God has made me to be. I am a follower of Christ, and that is my biggest identifier, so even when I fail and don't live up to my own expectations, I don't have to flip out and try something totally different just so I can succeed, my identity and WHO I AM is in Christ.
Well, all that to say...it became very clear that I have something to teach this friend of mine. I don't have to beat her over the head about her string of men, but I can show her and attempt to guide her in who she is in Christ. I know who I am...so why can't I help someone place her identity and who SHE is in the right place??

It's a challenge, and I still get frustrated, but it's ok, because I know that people got frustrated with me...probably still do...but they were patient with me and faithful to me as God was teaching me and growing me. So I need to be the same for her now. And it's an honor to be used. =)

What is God teaching you in your personal Bible study??