The power of identity.

“1 Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God’s will, to the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus who are at Ephesus. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 1:1-2 Darby Translation (DARBY)
 
“By the will of God…” – what an amazing thought, that Paul was an apostle (an ambassador of the gospel; a messenger sent with power) because it was what God wanted. Paul did what he did because he knew it was what God wanted him to do. God has a divine purpose for you, too!
 
God created everything with a purpose – including you! There is nothing as satisfying and fulfilling as discovering your purpose and living in it. I think that you will be surprised to discover what you were created for! While Paul is referring to his specific function (apostle) that God had called him to (and God has called you to a specific function, too), we want to focus on another aspect of your calling.
 
God calls us to be before He calls us to do. Your identity determines your ability. You are called to rest in who you are, not try and become something through what you do, or try proving who you are through your actions and effort. True faith rests in what Jesus has accomplished for us. True faith ceases from working to accomplish and works (bears fruit) because of what has been accomplished. An apple tree doesn’t strive to produce apples and you, as a Christian, shouldn’t be striving to produce the fruit of having Christ in you (good works, the fruit of the Spirit, the power of God etc.). What we do should be the overflow of who we are. It’s much easier to produce apples if you are an apple tree – there is some work in producing the apples, but you’re not striving to produce because you are resting in who you are and doing what you were created, gifted and empowered to do.
 
The way you think determines the way you are (Proverbs 23:7). The more that you discover, recognize and accept who you are (your new identity in Christ) the more your doing will start to lie up with your God-given potential. Without a revelation of who you are in Christ, you will never reach the level of potential that God has placed inside of you.
 
“11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 English Standard Version (ESV)
 
God has a great purpose for you. You’re His child and you get to do something significant in His kingdom but doing shouldn’t be our primary focus. Don’t get so caught up in the doing part of your calling that you neglect the root of the doing, which is being. Firstly, being in a relationship with God (“Then you will call upon Me…pray to Me… I will hear you… you will seek Me…”) and then, the new identity (being) that we have now that we are in a relationship with Him.
 
Say it out loud: I am accepted by God. I am called by God. God has great plans for me.