As you look closely at the picture, you’ll see ribbons of color forming the shapes of two birds. They are flowing and moving together. They are being carried on a wave of the sea in sync.
Who are you close to? You will identify with who you hang with. As you draw nearer to Jesus, you will begin to know your true identity.
Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory! Colossians 3:4
Do you want to connect with God? Would you cry out to know him as in the following verse?
Why don’t you tear the sky open and come down? Isaiah 64:1a
The apostle Peter knew Jesus’ voice after following him awhile. He believed that when Jesus spoke, His words were powerful. He saw people set free from demons and healed from their diseases.
But who was that walking on the water in a storm?
After making his disciples get in a boat and sending them to the other side of the lake, he sent away the people who had been miraculously fed with five loaves and two fish. About five thousand men plus women and children had plenty to eat. Then, Jesus spent some time alone on a hill praying.
When he decided to join his disciples, the wind was against them, and the boat was being tossed upon the waves. But this couldn’t stop the Son of God. Jesus walked on the water to get to them.
Jesus looked like a ghost walking on the water.
Who walks on the water?
Jesus told them it was he. Peter wanted to know for sure it was Jesus.
Then Peter spoke up. “Lord if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.” Matthew 14:28.
In these words, Peter issued a challenge to the water walker. Peter knew that Jesus had power. He also knew his voice. Peter understood that a command could be spoken from Jesus’ mouth and it would happen. He understood a few things about who Jesus was. If Jesus would do it, he too could walk on the water.
Do you believe that if Jesus gives a command, you can act on it and see it come to pass? Peter indeed walked on water, for a little bit, but when he looked at the wind and the waves, he faltered and fell. Nevertheless, Jesus saved him. See Matthew 14:22-33.
Peter had trusted Jesus, and so he was rescued. What Jesus was doing was supernatural. It took risk. Peter understood that if Jesus could, he could too. This kind of faith is based on understanding identity: who Jesus is and who you are in union with him. And the power of Christ’s command.
What does the Bible say about our identity?
When we are in union with Christ, we:
- have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world
- were chosen because of his love before the world was made
- can be holy and without fault before him
- are God’s children by his pleasure and purpose because of Jesus
- are set free from our sins by his blood
- have Holy Spirit as our guarantee that we belong to God
- will have complete freedom (we can overcome sin)
- can pray to be wise and know God through Holy Spirit.
- can know hope
- can have his great power working in us, the same power that raised Jesus from death.
- were spiritually dead, but are saved.
- will rule with him in the heavenly world
- are loved
- are saved by God’s grace through faith
- have a life with a purpose, created to live a life of good deeds
From Ephesians 1: 3-2:10
What would prevent you from walking in your true identity?
Have you ever shut a door with the light on and seen the light get effectively blocked by the door? In order for the light to light up the room next to it, the door must be open.
This is an example of what masks do to you. Masks close the door so your light is mostly hidden. Your identity is mostly hidden.
Who are you?
Can you easily breathe, speak freely, or be quickly understood? Where’s your smile?
If we cover our faces out of fear, are we trusting in God to protect us or trusting a mask?
Jesus reached out to the sick and healed them. He wasn’t afraid to touch them or identify them. Our society is afraid of sick people or those who might be sick. How cruel is this? This is no different than in Jesus’ day. One woman who was an outcast because of her illness decided to sneak up on Jesus, just touch the hem of his garment, and she believed she would be healed. She did this and was healed. Jesus called out to her to identify herself and confirmed her healing. When she identified herself, Jesus called her, “my daughter.” She was no longer an outcast but Jesus’ daughter. See Mark 5:25-34.
Walk in your identity. Trust Jesus, not a mask. Reveal your identity as a son or daughter of the King of Glory. Identify with Jesus, who was unafraid. He didn’t catch disease, He healed the sick.