rediscovering my core identity

by Michael Novelli   |  January 12 2009    10:52 AM

This Henri Nouwen quote, from his book The Only Necessary Thing, was published in my churches' bulletin this week and used in the sermon:

"Prayer is listening to that voice – the One who calls you the Beloved. It is to constantly go back to the truth of who we are and claim it for ourselves. I am not what I do. I'm not what people say about me. I'm not what I have... My life is rooted in my spiritual identity. Whatever we do, we have to go back regularly to that place of core identity."

This is a huge encouragement and challenge to me during a time of "wilderness" in my own life. I often struggle with my identity being wrapped up in what I do, and this is a particularly difficult time for me with this as I am struggling to find work. I am comforted in the fact that I have been created uniquely with great love, and formed to reflect the very image of God. In prayer I can rediscover the core of my true identity and let go of all of the fear and insecurity I battle with each day.