Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with love and compassion. Psalm 103:2-4

God has always been an identity changer. One cannot be near someone like God without coming away different. The identity-changing nature of God has never been more evident than when He personally changed the names of people. But while God may not give new earthly names to every person, identities still change radically once we are adopted into His family. We are no longer aliens but residents of heaven. No longer enemies but friends. No longer cursed but blessed. No longer lost but saved. No longer rejected but chosen. No longer unclean but righteous.  Hey, the list is much longer than this and every single facet of transformation is stunning!

Have we really embraced our new identities? It’s hard to digest that we are no longer who we were, especially if people around us treat us as if nothing has changed. Satan is also bent on reinforcing, through hurtful circumstances, that we are the same old sinners. But God says differently. And because He’s the only consistent Truth-teller, I am encouraged to confess these truths on a daily basis. On a good day, it’s not hard. Oh, but on a bad day, it must be a moment-by-moment self-reminder.

What do I do if the truth feels fragile? I spend more time with the Name-Changer. If I get in proximity to my Father for any amount of time, the effect is always the same. I will come away differently. Taller. Assured. Resolute in my real identity.

Let me bask in the spiritual assurances of ownership that come from running home to You. Amen