Silly Putty
Embracing True Identity in Christ
Living as true images of God rather than the impressions of people and circumstances is easier said than done. Remember Silly Putty? You smash it onto a newspaper cartoon strip, peel it away, and notice the impression of the cartoon goes with it! Not just one Garfield, but two! We may be showing our age with this story, but it’s a lot like how life works. We get smashed by people and events and they leave an impression that we take with us. These impressions can be both subtle and insidious but recognizing them is the first step to overcoming them.
Reflecting God's Image
Life's experiences can imprint on our hearts, leaving us feeling distorted, but just like Silly Putty can be reshaped, so can our hearts. Life's traumas and lies leave an imprint, but God's design for us is deeper still—it’s rooted in love, not shame or striving.
Revealing these impressions—whether from childhood, relationships, or society—gives us the power to discard them. Our job is to rest in the truth that God reveals to us about who we are.
How do we break free from these negative impressions?
Reflect: Find a quiet space to reflect on past experiences and people that may be shaping your self-image.
Ask God to Reveal: Turn your heart towards God in meditation, asking the Lord to reveal where you've allowed the wrong images to define you. Invite God to show you His image for you. Write down what you sense.
Reaffirm Your Identity: Remind yourself what He said. “Practice the presence” of who He showed you you are.
Rest in God's Love: Here’s the hardest work of all—relax! Rest in the revelation of who He says you are.
The Path to True Freedom
Embracing our true self requires a willingness to die to old lies and live in the freedom God offers. God’s shaping isn’t always comfortable. It often feels like crushing! Yet, His hands, metaphorically as the potter, ensure we are molded for our good—aligned with His perfect design.
We urge you to explore more about this on the Settled Podcast where we dive deeper into these discussions and guide you through prayers and questions with God to uncover more profound truths about your identity.
Listen to or watch the full podcast episode for more insights and reflection.