I spent most of my life being defined by others. I was defined by my perceived talents and abilities. I was constantly told what I should do and who I should be. I was told who I was. And to be honest, I believed most of it. I had no sense of identity back then. I had no idea who I was…until I found Christ. In His presence I learned who I am and who I am becoming. And this revelation changed everything for me. Instead of living for the approval of others, I am confident because I’ve received the approval of my Father. He created me, and He is the only one that can define me.
To be honest, I had a completely different topic planned for this week. I usually try to write from my personal experiences while I’m experiencing them. But, the other night, the Holy Spirit woke me up out of my sleep. He gave me a vision of Moses, as he had his first conversation with God in the book of Exodus.
God had just called out to Moses from a burning bush. He told Moses that He had seen the oppression of His people, and that He intended to send Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, into the promised land.
But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” (Exodus 3:11-13 NLT)
Moses protested the call of God over and over again. And in this next passage, we find out why.
But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4:10-12 NLT)
Moses was apprehensive about walking in his calling because he had defined himself based on his own limitations. But, he didn’t understand that the power to define was never his to begin with.
God is the only one that has the power to define us.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 NLT)
In Jeremiah 1:5, we read that our Creator knew us before we ever existed, and from that time, we were set apart…we had an identity…a purpose. This is also evident in God’s response to Moses.
Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4:10-12 NLT)
God basically told Moses that He is the Creator, and as such, He is sovereign over whether or not a person speaks, hears, or sees. He knew exactly what Moses was capable of. He knew exactly what Moses’ weaknesses were, and He called him anyways.
As I laid there thinking of Moses, God told me that He is the only one that has the power to define us. While our parents raise us, they do not have the power to define us. While our family and friends may know us, they don’t have the power to define us. While we may know ourselves, we don’t have the power to define ourselves. This is a right that only God has. He created us specifically for a purpose, and He is the only one that knows what He’s placed inside of us.
God called you before you were in your mother’s womb.
There’s no denying that our Creator has a plan for your life. He’s called you to walk with Him…to learn from Him…to glorify Him. And He completely changed my plans just to tell you this. Maybe you have been defined by your loved one’s your whole life, as I have. Maybe you’ve defined yourself, as Moses did. Regardless of how you got here, it’s never too late to allow the Lord to redefine who you are.
Make the decision today, that you will no longer allow yourself to be defined by the expectations of others. Make the decision today that you will longer allow yourself to be defined by your talents, your failures, or your flaws. These characteristics don’t define who you are. Your Creator chose you in spite of all of it. He wants to do something new in you, and He wants to do something new through you. Make the decision today that He is the only one that can define you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that you are the only one that has the power to define me. You have a purpose and a plan for my life, and I believe that you will enable me to walk in it. Today, I am making the decision to no longer allow anyone else to define me. I will not be defined by the things that I am good at. I will no longer be defined by my deficiencies. I will no longer be defined by my failures. Instead, I am making the decision to grab ahold of who you say I am. I will walk in the plan that you have for my life. I will see every promise that you have for me. I love you Father. In Jesus name, amen.
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