Friday Fight 229: Race or Refresh
Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF229.
Have you ever considered who assigns the various roles we play in different areas of our lives? Whether it is at home, work, or in school, whether as a child, teen, or adult, we are all assigned roles. Our role at work is probably different than the one at home, yet both are equally important. Depending on the situation, either we assign these roles to ourselves or they are designated to us. Perhaps these roles are not aligned with the image we present of ourselves. In today’s world, it seems everything is a race to some preconceived finish line where we feel like we've “made it.” But have we?
Race or Refresh:
When I started teaching in the public school setting, my title was initially conditional, but it changed to certified after I completed my degree and passed the necessary tests. Regardless of the changes in education or title, my students knew me as their teacher, and it was enough.
My students, however, may be learners at school, but their roles at home may be defined as quiet, mischievous, or caregiver. The labels and identities we are given and take on are not who we are, but rather serve as identifiers, much like a place setting. However, they are not the roles assigned to us by God or how He sees us.
We can check boxes or complete tasks. We can climb corporate ladders or be a stay-at-home parent, work for the sanitation department, or the State Department. God only cares about our hearts and our role as the son or daughter of the Most High.
What if I allow my role as a teacher (or any other title) to become my primary identity? Then everything related to that role becomes the sole focus of my life, energy, time, and sense of peace. I want to be clear - these roles are still incredibly important, just not the most important one we have. What happens when that role becomes difficult? What happens when there’s a hard season, an unexpected change, or continued discouragement? If my peace depends on my performance or how well that role is going, then my peace will always be vulnerable and fluctuating.
When we see ourselves first as children of God - before being a teacher, pastor, parent, employee, or leader - we find stability. We find peace because that identity doesn’t change. It isn’t threatened by failure or shaken by circumstances. Our relationship with God becomes the anchor, and that’s where true peace is found.
Matthew 18:4 says, “Therefore, whoever takes the humble position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” This verse reminds us that, regardless of our location, the people, or the situation, we must rely on Christ alone for our identity. Just like a child inherently knows they rely on others and cannot do everything themselves, we must also humble ourselves in the same way.
If we adopt a humble stance, one that acknowledges God knows best, that the Kingdom of Heaven is where our treasure lies, our daily interactions might be more enjoyable, less stressful, and more manageable. God wants us to run to Him: with excitement, with our problems, and with our gratitude.
This week, take time to ask God where you can lay down your role and simply rest at His feet. We are called to seek Him in all things. Be like a child, throw down everything and run into His arms, not with suspicion, but with delight, trusting that what He has for you is good. That’s where peace is. That’s where you’re refreshed.
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Photo Credit: Sherri Gagnon
In His Grace,
Pastor Shannon &
Sherri Gagnon
River Church