But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied,
“I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?”
– Acts 19:15 (New Living Translation)

Who are you? Think about that question for a moment. Do you really know who you are? If someone were to ask you that question right now, what would you say? Would you tell them about your position as a coach at the high school nearby? Would you tell them about the wonderful children that live in your house. Or maybe you would spend time talking about everything you are involved in at your church. Would you define yourself by your job, your possessions, or your relationships? Too often our answers to the “Who are you” question reveal cases of mistaken identity. Coaching might be what we do, but it isn’t who we are. Our family and friends might be who we associate with, but they don’t hold the keys to eternal life. The only thing in which we can find true identity and that won’t eventually be taken away is our status as a child of God.

Athletic and coaching careers end quickly from injury or age. We can lose our job in an instant. Our family and friends can walk away. But it’s our position as a child of God that will never change. God is the only constant in our lives. If we aren’t rooted in His eternal love and acceptance, we will eventually find out the hard way that all things in this life will fail and disappoint us. However, when we know the truth about a God who loves us with an everlasting and unconditional love, we will be free to live in the knowledge that we are eternally accepted, and that no matter what happens, we have a home in heaven with God.

Lord, thank you for loving me. Help me to put my trust in you and not my job, people or possessions. Help me to see that you are the only constant in my life. Amen.