Week 3: Identity in Everyday Life
Today’s application: Knowing I am full of purpose changes how I live when I’ve lost the things important to me.
If you’ve found yourself in a season of life where you feel like you’re losing what you hold dear, this one’s for you. You may not know David Smallbone‘s face, but you might know his kids – for King & Country and Rebecca St. James. He’s been the manager and a driving force behind their music, but not before living a remarkable story of devastating loss and learning to root his identity in Christ.
Now, in his later years, he’s watching friends go through retirement, become empty nesters, or go through marriage trouble, but he firmly believes that no season of life is without beautiful and deep purpose.
David says, “How can I protect my grandchildren – these beautiful young boys? What I can do – I can impact the culture. It really has challenged me… I find myself this year more passionate about Jesus than I can ever remember. I’ve had a remarkable story.
I had a buddy come to me the other day and say, “My daughter came back from college and she used to be a Jesus follower, but she’s not sure about Jesus anymore.” I said, “I want to encourage you to tell your story. With all the challenges that you’ve been through, why are you so passionate about Jesus?” And he is! That’s what I want to encourage anyone who’s watching or listening to this – tell your story! When you start talking about Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes in and helps you with the words! A lot of the time we’re talking to somebody who needs to hear that word of encouragement. Get together with some buddies and talk about the challenges that you’re going through. If Jesus has done something wonderful in your life, talk about it!”
In the final and 3rd week of the World’s Biggest Small Group: Identity, we’re taking the truths we’ve learned and start applying them to everyday situations we face in life and culture. Here’s where you’ll see – our identity truly changes everything. The verse we’re thinking on this week is:
10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
(Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation)
Don’t miss out! This is just one day in a 15 day series on Identity. You can subscribe and get each day in your inbox below.
I just survived hurricane Michael. I suddenly became dependent on the giving of others to survive from day to day. Each day had a challenge that had to be conquered: getting a generator, locating gas, finding water. God met each and every need many times practically before it was formed. God is always able. I had almost forgotten this. God used a situation that definitely got my attention and made me remember once again how much he loves me and is infinitely better to meet my needs than I am.
I feel like I’m about to loose my family
Eric, I pray that the LORD comes into your situation and brings about the healing that needs to happen. Sometimes we have issues that destroy relationships, or maybe our loved one does. Know that you can turn to Him and He will hear the deepest cries of your heart. No matter how it turns out, He can use this for your healing and for your good. I pray He finds you in this and He does miracles to heal the broken places.
I’ve lost 3 people in three years. my great grandmother who was on FIRE for the lord passed away last week. and im trying to trust GOD even as I struggle with self-harm, depression, and anxiety… God bless WBSG!!!
Lacey, I pray that God will give you clarity, peace of mind as you deal with your loss. May He wrap you in His arms in comfort everytime you feel so alone.
God does not take your great grandma to the other side, as punishment to you, your great grandma lived a long life, even got to see great grandkids! God is all loving, also your great grandma her body may have physically died, however her spirit/ soul is very much still here with us every day checking on is and watching over us! In spirit there is no anger or unsaid things. Only love
thank you for saying that cause i just lost my pop’s last year and now we had to let another love one go the other day
what can i do about it right now????