‘His’ Identity Series #3.

 This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes.

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:5-8

Welcome back, Sister! We’re starting this week’s topic off with some sound Scripture because this might be the most important thing we talk about throughout this identity series.

Today, we’re talking about our roots, Sis, and where we have them planted. We’re talking about our life source for all things identity and everything that we are. Today… we’re talking about the importance of knowing His voice. 

We’ve laid our foundation, right? We’ve dug deep on why having a relationship with Jesus and knowing Him intimately is so important. We’ve begun to uproot some of those nasty, annoying soul weeds that keep us from His sweet presence. Because you can’t know someone’s voice if you don’t spend time with them. And if you don’t know the voice of the One who created you, you can’t possibly begin to understand your worth and identity in Him. 

The voice of Jesus is the compass that leads our hearts and guides our lives. It’s the very thing that we filter the rest of the world through… including ourselves. It’s His sound presence in our everyday moments that reminds us of our Royal Heritage in Him, and it’s His voice that gently directs our next steps. 

If we do not familiarize ourselves with His voice, the rest of the world and its screams can become overwhelmingly weighted. When we pay more attention to the voices around us and the words through our screens, that’s when those soul weeds have room to take root and steal away from the beauty of who He says we are.

Radically redeemed.

Wildly worthy.

Lavished with love.

Our very identity, Sis, relies on knowing Him intimately and being able to discern what He says about us and to us. 

Just like that tree planted by the water in Jeremiah 17, verse 8, whose roots are by the stream… we have to root ourselves to the sound of His voice. That tree, because it’s chosen to root itself directly to its life source, isn’t defeated when the droughts move in and the heat threatens to overcome. It might feel the blazing heat of the fire, but it will not be overtaken, because it has secured itself deeply into the very source it needs to keep it alive and thriving even through the storm.

This life is messy, Sis. It’s beautiful and full of wonder… but it can be oh so messy. There are sorrows and heartaches, joys and laughter along with everything in between. And when the storms of life come, and the fire threatens the very core of who we are, where our roots are planted is going to be the very thing that defines that part of our story. We react and respond in ordinance to wherever we are planted, and if your roots are shallowly planted in the materialistic and superficial things and voices of this world… you are going to sink. 

It’s just like my blush pink peony bush.

When August turns to September, and September to October, the chill in the air soon takes the life out of my beautiful Peony bush. I always get a little sad watching it wither away, but I know that it is only for a season. I know that when Spring comes back around, I will be watching in wonder as it breathes new life again. I am never afraid that it won’t make it through the winter because I know its roots run deep and are tied securely to the soil beneath. 

We have to root ourselves to the sound of His voice and become in tune with the sweet whisperings of His presence. That voice, that still, small, powerful voice is our saving grace, Sister. It’s where we draw our power and our love and it’s where our identities in Him are handed to us… free of charge. Freedom lies in the sound of that voice, and chains are broken when He speaks and we actually have ears that are listening. 

When we are in step with His spirit and in tune with His voice, we don’t have to question who we are or where we’re going. Because we trust the One who speaks and directs our next steps, and the opinions of others start to lose their footing as we find our freedom in living only for His approval. 

Does this mean we become invincible to insecurities or fears? No. 

Does this mean when we act out of those insecurities or fears, we are less than? No. 

It means that you are free to take those insecurities and fears and submit them to the voice of Jesus and then be open to hearing what He has to say about them. It means that you have a safe and grace-filled place to run to when you do make mistakes and act out of those insecurities or fears. It’s His voice that puts us back on track and reminds us of His goodness and who we are and convicts us to move forward even when it gets tough. 

His voice is your strength and your lifeline, your reminder of grace on days you feel defeated and it’s what holds you up when you are too weary to stand on your own. 

His voice is what commands your destiny and hands you your identity. 

An identity that mightily commands you are His. 

I am praying that you dig deep this week and allow Him the opportunity to grow your roots deeply into Him. Roots that are secured by the voice of a God who aches to be your life source and provide for you all that you need and say to you everything that you are.

Sis, join me in a couple of weeks as we continue this identity series and take a look at some practical ways we can begin seeking His voice and making it the loudest over our lives.

Can’t wait to chat with you soon!

Xoxo,

Celia

But now, this is what the Lord says—

    he who created you, Jacob,

    he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:1-2