Who am I?

"I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours"

(Casting Crowns - Who Am I?)


Identification is a part of human's life. Every single thing in the world is identified. God even told Adam to give names to His creatures. However, as human beings, we do not want to be identified by names only. Quoted from Shakespeare's novel: "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," we want something more than a name identifying us. Thus, begin our journey looking for our own identity.

Some people find their identity at work, that the workplace is really where they belong. We define these people as the Workaholics, people who are addicted to their work. They enjoy their work more than anything. As a result, they care less about their family or anything else. Some find their identity in their culture. And some find their identity in money, that money really defines who they are. They devote themselves to money and identify others based on the amount of money they have. And there are other things that people use to identify themselves.

However, should we really use these items as our identification? If we look at them, these things are mortal. One day you are fired, then you will lose your identity. One day the culture changes, and you will feel lost. One day your company goes on bankruptcy, and you are left with nothing, even your identity. Then you will wonder, who am I really?

John 1:12-13 tells us that "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." We are His if we believe in Jesus. Our identity is children of God if we believe in Him. And the wonder of this identity? God is immortal, so as children of God, our identity is immortal. We identify ourselves with the Creator, not the Creation. Just like the song by Casting Crowns, we "quickly fade" and are "tossed". But when God calls us His, then He will protect and hold you forever. Never will we lose our identity.

So, are you children of God or children of darkness?

Psalm 139:1-4 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

Crooked Lines

"God writes straight with crooked lines
He takes the mess we make in life
Turns our groaning into perfect rhyme
Hidden by the veil of time
The wisdom of His love’s design
God writes straight with crooked lines"
Crooked Lines by Corrinne May


Life is never a straight line. You'll have curves, ups and downs, circles, etc. It seems that life does not make sense when we're in the middle of these crooked lines. We want to make it straight, but the lines are now even distorted, and we just want to put an end to all these nonsense. Our mind cannot cope with the situation we are in.

I've been to this kind of situation, when everything just does not make sense. In fact, I'm facing this situation at the moment. I'm looking for confirmation from God but I can't see Him. What does He really want?

This song really reminds me of God's perfection. He uses us in the most unexpected ways in His perfect timing. Everything makes sense for Him when nothing does for us. So, we just need to put our faith in Him. I agree that it is easier said than done. However, I believe apart from Him we have nothing. It is only by His grace that we are given faith in Him. The only thing we can do is pray and ask Him to give us strength and perseverance in keeping our faith in Him. If we rely on our own power, we are going to be burnt out because we are limited. We, helpless human beings, need God who is unlimited. That thought alone has helped me get through difficult times. I experienced that He would also provide us strength through His Words, brothers and sisters in Christ, circumstances, songs, and many other things.

The crooked lines He provides for us are in His plan. Only after we experience these lines will we be able to realize how great God is, how beautiful His plan is, and how marvelous His Way is.

The "Click" Moment

The joy when I noticed how my brothers and sisters in Christ have matured...
The unspeakable contentment when I know Christ has changed them to be more like Him...
The overflowing excitement when I realized that they are seeking Christ...
The endless gratitude when we become blessings and show God's love to others...

All happen in "click" moments, but they stay with you forever in memory.

And along all the moments we remember, one conclusion: God never fails... =)

Jonathan

Who am I Lord that You think of me?
You fulfill all my needs always at the perfect time.
You guide me through my days and years.
You warn me when I start to steer away from You.
You, the Almighty God, care for this unworthy dust.

You always answer my prayers if I ask.
You provide just the best for me.
You protect me from evil and wrong-doers.
You, the Infinity, love this mortal sinner.

Untrusty, unforgiven, ill, and dirty I am
Useless, corrupt, ugly, unclean I am
But still You are faithful to me
And You have given
God has given