Who defines you?

So embarrassed to be late, I slid into one of the back pews of the funeral home, next to several other teachers. The service had already started and the booming voice of a charismatic preacher was echoing throughout the chapel. I was mesmerized by the sea of colorful hats that lay before me. Each one bobbed up and down in agreement with the message given to them. Everyone was decked out to the highest, each woman crowned with her best bonnet.

As my thoughts turned back to the service, I noticed that the preacher was offering the podium to anyone who wanted to give testimony to the life of the deceased.

Family and friends approached the podium and first introduced themselves before giving their testimony. These introductions were so interesting, and I remember wondering what I would say, if I were to be brave enough to give a statement.

Each person gave approximately the same opening words:

"Hi, I'm John Doe from USA Baptist Church, our pastor is Joe Smith."

OR

"Good Afternoon, my name is Jane Doe from America Methodist Church, our
pastor is Jack Blue."

And so on...

It was almost as if that is how they defined themselves...by who pastored their congregation. I just wanted to ask one of them, isn't it really God who should define us?

It is not my pastor who makes me who I am. It is not my preacher who saves me from sin and death. It is not the elders or the song leader or the Bible class teacher who gives me eternal life. It is simply Jesus...that is when I realized that my introduction would be simple and to the point.

Hi, I'm Kathryn Ponder, my savior is Jesus.

I pray that I will remember that Jesus is the head of my church, my job, and my life. He is the one whom I need to call upon when trying to define who I am and who I need to be.