Identity: We Are Loved

Love stories. We’ve read them in books. We’ve watched them on tv and movies. We are drawn to the romance, the passion, the security. We long to know that true love exists and that it exists for us. That need for love, to feel loved, is in every person. The key is to make sure that the love that defines us is from the right source.

In order to embrace our identity of “loved,” we need to know where love is not found.

Love is not based on appearance. Your hair, your skin, your weight, those things don’t earn you love.  When we look in the mirror, we all see things we’d like to change. But what does God see?

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
-1 Samuel 16:7b

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
-Proverbs 31:30

Earth is our temporary home. Our earthly bodies are wasting away, but God promises us forever with Him. Your appearance is surface level. Nothing you build a foundation on. Love does not originate here.

Love is not dependent on your mother status. Maybe your little ones are in heaven. Maybe you’ve never conceived. Maybe you have children that are estranged to you. Maybe you feel like you fail at mothering every day. We do not receive love based on the number of kids we have or don’t have. We are not loved by how well we perform as a mother. The role that is significant is that of the Father. Our Heavenly Father Who is the ultimate parent. Children do not equal love.

Love does not come from your husband. Hear me out on this. For those that are married, I’m sure you love your husband and that they love you too. However, your identity as “loved” does not result from your marital status. You were not given your love badge when he placed that ring on your finger. And you did not have that badge ripped off if that finger is now ringless. Men are only human. They will disappoint, (and so will you). We cannot place our happiness, our worth, our identity in them. Talk about too much pressure!  Please don’t put that on them. Men were not made to be love for you.

So where’s the right source for love?  I’m pretty sure you’ve already guessed the answer. Christ.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
-John 3:16

The greatest love story of all time played out on the cross. God loved you so much that He sent His Son to die for your sins. God Wants You. Did you hear that? GOD WANTS YOU. Not when you can fit into a certain size. Not when you finally get pregnant or become a better mother. Not when you have the perfect marriage.  God wants you now, with all your imperfection, all your insecurity, all your brokenness. Talk about romance, passion, and security!  That’s what He offers us. You see, love, perfect love, can only come through Him. God is the only One who has the true power to mark us:

Forgiven

Alive

Chosen

Children

Free

New

Conquerors

Loved

There’s a song called, “You Are My King,” by Chris Tomlin. The lyrics say: