Living a God-Defined Life

Who are you in Christ?
What kind of question is that?!
No, seriously. Really think about that question.
Who am I in Christ?
Yes.
Well, I am a Christian. I go to church every Sunday. I help out with the kids. I go to Bible Study. I read my Bible. I pray.
Okay. You still didn't answer my question.
What?! I just told you everything that I do!
I didn't ask you what you did for Christ, I asked you who you are in Christ.
I don't think I really know. I mean I do all that stuff that you are supposed to do as a Christian. What more do you want me to say?
Who you are in Christ is so much more important than what you do for Christ. He wants to define you. Something does. Why not let it be the One who created you?
That's a good point. I guess I never really thought about it that way before. I thought having a relationship with Him meant everything that I needed to do for Him. I have been letting a list of religious acts define who I am as well as my relationship with God.
Exactly! Psalm 18:20-24 says, "God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
So, instead of just doing things for God, I need to lay my life before Him and let Him take control? That's how He defines me?
You got it. Having an intimate, growing relationship with Jesus requires you give up control. That isn't easy, but totally worth it. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!"
I think I get it, but how do I just give control over to God?
It is an every day, every moment kind of thing. You just have to give God all of you in order for Him to define you.
And what does a God-defined life look like?
A God-defined life radiates for Him alone. It says no to cultural pressures and yes to pointing others to Jesus. It says "I love you" genuinely and not behind a mask of fake kindness. It thinks positively rather than negatively. It puts others first and diminishes "me, myself, and I." It doesn't curse enemies or shun the unpopular. A God-defined life doesn't live for me. A God-defined life lives for Jesus.
Wow! This is pretty incredible! Where I can learn more about this?
At Jesus' feet. In every day moments. Through reading the Bible and journaling. Through talking to your sister. By listening to your Mom. Take what the Bible says to heart. Start out in Romans 12 to learn how to place your life before God.
Thank you so much. I don't define me anymore. I think I can better answer your original question too. Who am I in Christ? I am loved. I am His princess. I am a girl on this dusty trail called life learning as I go. That is what it is all about.