HAVE A REAL LIFE REMEMBER YOUR TRUE IDENTITY (Dave Pridemore)

How many times each year do you hear the question, What do you do?" Within minutes of meeting a new acquaintance, the question comes up. Upon hearing that question, you might answer, "I am a teacher," or "I am a business owner," or "I am a pastor." Our identity is tied so closely to our occupation that we use the phrase, "I am" to convey it. But we must be careful in how we define ourselves in our heart.

Particularly when God placed a calling on our lives, we must define ourselves correctly. If I define myself by my ministry, then I am setting myself up for stress, and I have ultimately missed the mark. I cannot define myself as, "Dave Pridemore, Owner of Camp Grace." My identity does not come from my work.

Neither can yours.

If I NEED a ministry, then I'm in trouble. I don't need a camp. I don't need a ministry. My identity is firmly established as a child of God, adopted as a son and reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.