Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Wiggin' Out

"So..." She began with a look of genuine care across her face, "how are you doing with all the changes coming up in your life?" I hadn't been asked that question yet. I'd been asked "where will you live?" "what will you do?" "how are the plans?" but not "how are you doing?" and the answer is pretty simple. "I'm FREAKED!" Yes i am SO stoked to be married! Yes, I can not wait to begin a life with Jake. But in all honesty. I'm wiggin' out on the inside. In four months EVERYTHING changes. My home, my roommate, my job, my family (the part where i gain a new one) my church, my city, even my grocery shopping. Nothing will be the same. I will go from Abigail Thomson, San Diego barista living with 3 friends from college attending Kaleo church and dating the SDCC chaplain to Abigail Ruth Wilhelm. And with the new name will come new everything else.

That is the intro of a blog I intended to write on how Christ is interceding for my life before the Father. And maybe I'll get to that blog eventually. But suddenly I realized that those last few lines sound like the beginning of an identity crisis. And they are, aren't they? It's only a matter of time and I will no longer be Abigail Thomson San Diego anything. So, if that is what my identity is in I'm in trouble. Desperate, tragic trouble. And i should be wiggin' out that is the only reasonable thing to do. HOWEVER, i want more than that. I want to stand firm, not feel shaken. And I can, Because my true identity is in the one who bought me with His blood. It is as a daughter of the Most High God. I pray He reminds me daily of that for my good and His glory.

Now... Would you do something for me? Would you comment on this post with verses that remind you of you of your identity in Christ? It would be a HUGE encouragement to me. Thank you for sharing!

8 comments:

  1. God says this in Isaiah:

    "But Zion said, 'Yahweh has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.' Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget. But I will not forget you."

    (49.14-15).

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  2. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." (Ephesians 2:13-16).

    "But to hall who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12).

    I know transitioning is scary, but God's thoughts toward you are good. He'll help you through the adjustments, and the experience will probably strengthen your relationship with Him precisely because the uncertainty will drive you closer. You'll settle in and love your new life as much as your old one.
    Congratulations on a wonderful adventure!

    Jeremiah 29:11

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  3. My whole life has been an identity crisis, and college was the worst time of it...still not over it yet! :/

    Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
    I love this so much...He has a purpose for me! Even though I can't see it, and He will bring everything to a good end.

    Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
    He never gives up on me! It's so wonderful to know that there is a God who never will let me go or leave me half finished. He'll keep working in me until the day I see His face.

    Thanks for your honesty and sharing, Abigail! May God give you joy and strength as you begin this wonderful new journey! *hug!

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  4. This is a great way to face the changes that are coming! Here are some of my favorite verses that remind me who we are in Christ.

    http://bible.us/1pet2.9-10.esv
    http://bible.us/rom8.16-17.esv
    http://bible.us/1john5.2-5.esv
    http://bible.us/gal5.1.esv
    http://bible.us/gal4.6-7.esv

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  5. Abby let me start off by saying it's been such an honor, joy, and encouragement to see you grow over the last few years in more ways then one!! I Still remember the first time I met you as my Freshman RA and looking back over the years all the late night girl talks and such I have learned so much from you and I am so proud of where God has brought you and where He is taking you in the future! It is going to be a crazy, awesome, rewarding ride because you are the daughter of the King! Love you sooo much, AND ........you better not forget me when your sending out those invites, would not want to miss the day for anything!!
    This list should keep you busy with 100 references in Scripture about who we are in and with Christ! :)

    http://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/resources/who-i-am-in-christ

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  6. Dearest Abby!
    I love your new focus for your blog and I can't wait to rejoice and learn alongside you as your world is shifted and shapped into God's masterpiece.
    Love you!

    Shannon

    I am given God's glorious grace lavishly and without restriction (Ephesians 1:5,8)
    I am God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
    I can be humble, gentle, patient and lovingly tolerant of others (Ephesians 4:2)
    I am chosen and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)

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  7. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

    Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3.

    Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
    Ephesians 5:25-27

    Behold, you are beautiful, my love;
    behold, you are beautiful;
    your eyes are as doves.
    Song of Songs 1:15

    After this I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
    "Hallelujah!
    For the Lord our God
    the Almighty reigns.
    Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
    for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
    it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure"--
    for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
    Revelation 19:6-8

    Inextricably bound up with our identity in Christ is our destiny in Christ. Your friends in the above comments have given you many lovely reminders to treasure in your heart; remember also that, whatever and whoever we are in Christ, we are thus for His sake. Your wedding day will be wonderfully joyous; enjoy it all the more knowing that it is an anticipation of things to come. Above all, prepare one another for that day.

    We haven't talked much in the last years, but you made a lasting impression on me as a woman of God, and I'm so happy for you and your man! The Lord is with you!

    -Nathan Paul

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  8. Forgive me if I infer things you didn't mean, but I read a little self-indictment in your entry. Like you think you should be handling this better than you are. All these truths from God's Word are valuable for encouragement. But remember also that all change (even the change you look forward to) requires loss and loss sometimes brings grief. Give yourself permission to feel the sadness of leaving behind beloved people, places and things - it's evidence that you've loved well and without reservation. And know that part of God's grace as you begin again is knowing from experience that you can take all the people and opportunities He supplies for you and love them just as fully.

    Love,
    Erin

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