You bear a mark. You are a daughter, perhaps a wife or mom, a friend, an employee, a church member. You were private/homeschooled or went to public school, are considered medically-minded or naturally inclined, lean conservative or liberal. Each “identity” carries a certain weight depending on the circle you are in. Knowing this, many of us are cautious or bold in the way we communicate and act according to “the group” others assume we represent.

How much more so should we consider our title in Christ? When we took on the freedom found in Christ, we also took on His mark. And it is no longer I that lives, but Christ in me. (Galatians 2:20)

But how many of us live with this understanding in mind? Does our eternal calling card change the way we communicate? Do we live aware of this positional switch at all?

I get it. We are more comfortable in our other “old self” (aka our flesh). It’s what we know best. We want to stay with the original. The unknown is, well, scary.

One of my friends put it this way: “People are sometimes afraid to heal because their entire identity is centered around our past, specifically the hard stuff we’ve experienced. We have no idea who we could be outside of that.”

It's hard to die to an "old image.” We have security in it. We don't know the fabulous world of freedom in our “new self.” And somehow we are hoping our old lovey will keep doing the trick.

Scripture speaks of this switch:

“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-23, English Standard Version)

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God….Put to death therefore what is earthly in you.” (Colossians 3:3,5, ESV)

Dying doesn’t sound nice. It sounds messy. When Christ says we must put to death our flesh, He meant it. A cross is a tool for torture and scripture calls us to pick ours up and carry it.

But perhaps we have been giving meaning to these words that have killed the vibrant life giving truth they contain behind the painful facade.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8: 12-13)

There is a perspective shift we need to take. Walking by the Spirit, though it seems painful from a human perspective, is our life itself. The freedom we crave is found in the putting to death of an identity that does not become us.

This is where we have too often gotten the Christian walk wrong. We have made it something we “have” to do, rather than something we “get” to do.

If we long to live in sweet freedom and deep intimacy where love flows between us and the One who has set us free, we will obey His commands.

So putting on His new image is actually an incredible joy when you realize who you are representing. The One who set you free! The One who speaks meaning to you! The One who sees you fully and loves you completely!

It’s a lot easier to walk in that role when you understand the weight it carries. The identity change that has been made: Delivered. Set Free. Victorious.

So when we walk into a room, we no longer feel a burden because we have to reflect our Father. Instead, we realize the privilege it is to be a daughter of the Most High God. Our mission is freedom and hope. We truly have the greatest job in the world!

You are God's Calling Card