According to a recent article released by CNN Money, Identity theft tops the list of consumer complaints. Once again, the number one complaint from Americans this year, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s is Identity Theft.
We have all seen the commercials showcasing their products for protection. Perhaps you even know someone whom has been a victim of this crime. The plot is the same. A criminal will get his hands on some of your personal information, and then begins to strip your identity away while creating his new life as you by securing loans and according to this article from CNN Money, even filing bogus tax returns in your name and getting a refund before you even have a chance to file.
As Christians, we understand that this crime has been going on for centuries. The enemy of our soul will lay his hand on some personal information, and then begin to strip away your own identity in an attempt to confuse you and wreak havoc in your own life.
As my late spiritual father Dr. Myles Munroe used to always share, “The greatest tragedy in life is NOT death. It is going through life never knowing your purpose. It is at that moment that you stop being effective in life because you are preoccupied with chasing after the real purpose for your life.” However, we know that the enemy of our soul operates very craftily in his approach and often the attack is not so straight forward.
Yesterday, Michele and Judah had left the house to go to the school to prepare for Judah’s upcoming Spring production of “Mary Poppins”. Michele is working on the sets using her design skills, and Judah had rehearsals. (If you would like to see this amazing production, please inbox us or email us to find out about tickets being sold.)
While they were gone, I went to the piano and started to play. It was nothing really particular, but rather just began to play. Within a few short moments, tears began to flow and the presence of God settled into our dining room which is where we have the piano. I began to sob almost uncontrollably as I had now suddenly revisited a place with God that I had discovered many years ago. Although this place was very familiar, it was also very different. This time, it was filled with many wonderful memories of God’s presence, and at the same time I found myself discovering a new dimension of His presence yet one more time.
In this moment of divine exchange, it was as if my entire world disappeared and it was just me and God. Time stood still, and I simply did not want to move from this sacred place and moment in my life. It was that moment in time that I have often spoken of to others. It was that Throne Zone dimension, but it wasn’t happening in the convention center, nor in a sanctuary, but rather in my dining room. And my only response was a stream of tears that continued to flow down my cheeks onto the very keys of my piano.
It was during this encounter that God began to show me that I had become a victim of Identity Theft. I began to question, “but Lord, how can this be?” And as only the Lord can do, he began to roll a series of videos across my mind.
For 17 years, Michele and I served in the local church as Worship & Fine Arts pastors. For the past 12 years, we have served as the directors of His Call Ministries hosting our flagship ministry event, The Throne Zone. We have watched countless lives being transformed, church worship programs revolutionized, and young worship leaders mentored and placed on staff at a church or even helped to facilitate the birth of their own individual ministries.
Unknowingly, I had allowed what I “DID” to become my identity. Yet in this Kairos moment, the Lord reminded me very clearly that is NOT who I “AM”. These wonderful ministry results are merely what I “DO”. These are two very different things.
Why is this such a powerful revelation for you and me?
Often, we encounter road blocks with our jobs, our lives, or even our ministries. When we encounter something that prevents us from “DOING”, we travel the gamut of emotions from disappointment, to discouragement, to a cycle of questions that leave us in a turmoil of frustration or guilt. Without allowing the Holy Spirit the opportunity of healing us, or reminding us of who we are in HIM, we can then lose our identity and believe the lies of the enemy.
As I sat at the piano and transcribed this information from the Lord into my journal, I began hearing the father remind me that who I am is a Child of the most high God. I am one who uses my giftings not to lead others into the presence of the Lord; but my chief goal in life is to release that worship unto God. Just me and Him in the quiet place. I am thankful for all that we have DONE….but today I look forward to what we will do in even greater dimensions and capacities. Yet the fact remains, all of that is a direct result of who I AM while BEING with the Father.
Today, I want to encourage you to not allow Satan to steal your identity. I know that sounds cliché and superficial; yet for me this has been very revelatory. Let us not allow what we DO to define us. We must be deliberate in our BEING with the Father, and realize that our “DO” will be an overflow of our “BEING” in His presence.
If what I am sharing confirms what you are going through, please realize you are not going through it by yourself. There are countless leaders and pastors that have been sharing in this same scenario simply because we have focused on DOING more in the Kingdom for God, and we have sacrificed our time simply BEING with God.
Identity Theft!
If you feel as though I am sharing where you are at this moment in your life, please reach out to me through Facebook, the phone, text or email. I would love to chat with you and pray with you. You must know you are NOT FINISHED, you are simply in a season of REST. A time for God to pour forth His healing balm into your spirit; a time of refreshing and renewal. You work is NOT FINISHED, you are just getting started.
Know who you are in Christ! Know whose you are through Christ! You are NOT defined by what you DO. In your time spent BEING with God, you will be restored & refreshed. Your DOING will be a direct overflow of your BEING with the Lord.
Michele, Judah and I continue to pray for the Lord to reveal what He has for you and us in this new season of our lives. One thing that we know for certain is that we are His, created in His image to do His work and show forth His glory! That is who we are, not what we do!
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