Many people spend their whole lives not knowing who they really are. They travel far and wide to "discover themselves" and might try things like meditation to find who they are. Let me just tell you, as fun as a vacation sounds, I don't have to travel very far to know who I really am, and neither do you!

Romans 8:14-16 says:

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father'. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

That's who you are! You are a child of God! Even if you don't know it yet, it is God's intention to show you the revelation of your sonship or daughtership (if that's a word). His heart is after his children. Why do you think He sent His son to die for your sins. It wasn't just so you could be in heaven one day, it was because He wanted you to live an abundant life (John 10:10) in full connection with Him.

Psalms 84:10 says:

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper at the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked"

The writer of this Psalm understood that there is nothing like being with the Father, and when he was writing this it was much harder to be near to God under the law of Moses. How much better and fuller is our closeness with God now that we have Jesus as the bridge between us and our loving heavenly father. There is nothing better than living a life close to him, in his presence.

Once you have come into the full realization that you are a child of God and have experienced the fullness of his love for the first time, it changes everything. You become a man or woman of purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 says:

"For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, ' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

You have purpose in life! You were not created just to sit around and be a passive player in life, because you are a child of God. In His eyes you are not worthless, hopeless or a failure. He speaks purpose and identity into you. It's the nature of His heart.

God is faithful. If we draw near to His heart, He will draw near to us and we will know him more intimately (James 4:8). The closer you get to God, the more you see who God is. The more you see who God is, the more you see yourself the way he sees you. The more you begin to see yourself the way he sees you, then you begin to see your purpose, destiny, and identity in him.

Find out who you really are. Get closer to God! He loves you and has a purpose for your life, not matter who you are or what you have done. Your identity is in Him!

If you want to talk to someone about God's love for you and step into more of that, come by the Stone Lodge on UNA's campus Sundays at 8:00 p.m. for Encounter: Word or Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. for Encounter: Worship.