Fast Day 18: Who Am I?

By Jami Ecoff

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

The season we call being a young adult (18-28ish), looks different for every individual. Whether headed to college, starting a career, trying out multiple jobs or still at home helping out family, this is often a season of self-discovery. Many look around and compare themselves to others, feeling as though everyone else has a plan while they are scrambling to figure out who they are and where they are going. Sometimes this comes through heartache, failure, bad decisions, self-doubt or an insatiable need to prove yourself to the world. Identities are often formed out of a combination of these experiences and labels or opinions of other people. If you’re blessed to have had great mentorship or a Spirit-filled community, your journey could look like a deepening relationship with Jesus, seeking His purpose for your life and building your identity on who He says you are. 

I recently saw these words from Erica Kirk: “There’s a cost to being uncommon. People will try to label you, or put you in a box, let them, whatever..accusations don’t define you, obedience to Christ does. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Don’t ever carry words that God never spoke over you.” 

Reflection Questions: 

• Who am I? Have I built my identity on who You say that I am or a combination of what other people have said or believed about me? 

• How can I encourage the young adults in my life? 

Prayer Points: Pray that we would all..

• Look to you for our identity - Read Ephesians 1 and Romans 8

• Develop a strong desire, accompanied by sense of ownership and responsibility to serve the body of Christ - Read 1 Corinthians 12

• Walk in peace with boldness - Read Philippians 4:6-7 and Isaiah 41:10

Prayer: 

Lord, I believe you are raising up a generation to take back ground that the enemy has stolen. Please show me how I can be an example of what it looks like to walk in peace with boldness, grounded in truth and love, fully surrendered, knowing who (and whose) I am. Show me the false-truths that I am believing about myself. I lift up the young adults in our community. Fill them with Your Spirit and purpose and the knowledge that wherever they are, whatever they are doing, and whoever they are with, they are ambassadors for Your kingdom.