“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV).

CMDA Western Regional Director Michael McLaughlin recently attended the CMDA National Convention, where he was to be honored for his decades of service. Two nights before the ceremony he found himself in the hospital with a severe enterocolitis. During that stay a nurse entered his room and said, “I’m here to give you your insulin.” Michael answered, “You are not, because I do not take insulin.” “What’s your name?” came her response. He told her, and she realized she was about to inject the wrong patient. When Michael shared the story, he told me, “You know, many patients would not even know to speak up.”

Do you know who you are? If Michael had not, he would have experienced a very low blood sugar.

Do you know you are a Christian?

Is your heart stamped with the heart of Christ?

Is your mind filled with the thoughts of Christ?

Is your vision for the world, and your mission in it, the vision of Christ?

Are your actions each day intentionally moving your neighbor toward a knowledge of Christ? Or does the world confuse you with someone else?

Do they sometimes perceive you as a citizen of the world rather than a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)? Why is that?

When they confuse you with someone else, do you speak up, or let the perception remain?

How many of our friends will die forever because they do not identify us with the Christ we follow?

What must I do intentionally, what must I change to be readily identified with Christ and to walk authentically in His steps?

Dear Father,
Let me be true to my identity in you. Help me each day to become more like the Christ so the world may know I am truly His.
Amen