A Child of God
John 1:12
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
 
A New Creation
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
 
An Heir
Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
 
God's Workmanship
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
 
  A Friend of Christ
John 15:15
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
 
Dearly Loved
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience

A Conqueror
Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

 
The popularity of blogs has spurred on much discussion in recent years about what level of anonymity should be granted to bloggers and their respondents.  Under the cover of "no known name or identity or known source," an individual can become quite intoxicated with the notion of saying whatever, to whomever, however he or she would like to do so.  Whether you blog or not, most of us can identify with the desire to remain anonymous.  Yet, while there are times in our lives when we absolutely don't want anyone to know who we are, there are other times that everything in us cries out for recognition.  
 
Whether we long for anonymity in situations where it doesn't exist or long for recognition in situations where it does exist, the fight before us is to find ourselves hidden in Christ.  Consider these words penned by the Apostle Paul:  "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is,seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).
 
In Him, there not only is forgiveness of sins, but a deep and rich recognition of who we are as His children.  Our lives in Christ are not about seeking recognition or seeking anonymity, they are about embracing the Source of our identity.  Indeed, being hidden in Christ means being known with no need to seek out recognition and/or to hide behind anonymity.  If we purpose to remain hidden in Christ, He will get the recognition He so deserves as we live out our faith.  With our minds set on things above and the knowledge that He is our source of identity, we are freed from the fruitless pursuit of finding our identity in the earthly realm.
 
How might we embrace a life hidden in Christ?  I suggest that we begin by immersing ourselves in the identity God has given to us as those who are hidden in Him.  How great it is that God has "known names" for us!  Check out the sidebar for a few of them.
 
May your Advent season be fueled by the knowledge that Christ has come, you are hidden in Him, and He knows you!

Women's Advent Community Breakfast
Middletown Presbyterian Church
Saturday, December 5, 2009
9:00 a.m. / Martin Chapel
www.middletownpres.org

[additional spring events to be announced soon!]


2010 Crossroads Women's Retreat
April 16-18, 2009
St. Mary of Providence Center

With Defiant Joy!
Susan

Susan M. Ward, Ph.D.
Founder | Defiant Joy Ministries
susan@defiantjoyministries.com