Identity Theft

Every year millions of people become victims of identity thieves. Javelin Strategy reported that "the number of identify theft victims in the U.S. rose to 16.7 million in 2017." The cost of the lost data was nearly $17 billion! Typically, we associate identity theft with stolen credit cards, social security numbers, bank account information, etc. And, we probably think it will happen to someone else.

But, what if I told you there may be another type of identity thief lurking about with a mission to steal, kill, and destroy?

You may be asking, "To steal, kill, and destroy what?"

Your purpose. Your joy. Your life. 

"C'mon, you can't be serious!"

Let me explain.

Have you ever been so focused on your job, working extreme hours, burning the candle at both ends, trying to meet goals, trying to achieve the mission, or fill in the ____________ with whatever your situation may be that it consumes you by stealing your purpose and joy? You know what I'm talking about. You eat, think, breathe, sleep, and speak job related stuff the majority of the time. When you're present with family and friends, you're not really present because you're mind is stuck on work.

Now I'm not against working hard, working long hours, inspired work, aspiration, working to accomplish awesome things, meeting goals or anything like that. What I'm speaking about is getting so caught up in your work that you wrap your identity around your job title and what you do instead of remembering Whose you are.

(Vulnerability ALERT)
If you've read my About Me section then you know that I've been an educator for 25 years. Over half of those years were spent as a school principal.  I loved working with others on big things for students and the community. I loved being the principal. However, the work became all consuming and before I knew it I got so wrapped up in what I was doing as the principal that I began associating my identity with that instead of remembering I was (and am) a child of the King.

Fortunately, God intervened and reminded me that whatever I do is a gift given by Him to be used for His glory, and that my identity is wrapped up in what He did for me on the Cross through the most unconditional act of love the world has ever seen.

I realized that no matter the job (insert your job), there is someone else that can do it. A former principal once told me that a job is like a rubber ball, but your family is like a crystal ball. You can drop the rubber ball and someone else will come along behind you, pick it up, and keep going. However, if you drop the crystal ball, that cannot be fixed.

Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

The enemy can use a lot more than the familiar financial targets we're used to seeing exploited as identity theft. He can get us wrapped up in ourselves. The cost and toll on families (husbands, wives, dads, moms, siblings, etc.) is a lot more than $17 billion and comes in all shapes and sizes!

Please hear me. The work you do is important! But don't get so wrapped up in your job title or the work that you lose your identity. Don't be a victim of identity theft by letting the enemy steal your purpose, joy and life by making you believe you have to do it all and that you are the only one that can do it.

God created you for a purpose and He desires for you to know Him through an awesome relationship! After all He came that you may have life and have it abundantly!