Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to work out who I am, but ultimately I’ve learned that my identity can never be fully understood without also grasping the identity of God. Eph 1:11-12 in the Message version says, ‘It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.‘ The song ‘Good, Good Father’ (written by Tony Brown and Pat Barrett) captures this combination perfectly: God is a good, good Father (His identity, ‘it’s who You are’) and because of this we are loved by Him (our identity, ‘it’s who I am.’) It’s nowhere near as complicated as I like to make it…!
‘Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whispers of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I’m never alone.
You’re a good, good Father.
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am.
Oh, and I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need
Before we say a word
You’re a good, good Father.
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am.
’cause You are perfect in all of Your ways,
You are perfect in all of Your ways,
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us.
Oh, it’s love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As you call me deeper still [3x]
Into love, love, love.’ (‘Good, Good Father’, Chris Tomlin)
