If you were to meet me on the street and we had never met each other before, your first question would be who are you? My answer to you would be that my name is Iva Ruth Faulk, and I am a daughter, an aunt, a friend, an educator, a proud Winona Tiger, a die-hard Bulldog, a lover of country music, and a sports addict. But none of those things matter in the least little bit without the first and most important thing that I am, and that is a Christian and servant for my Savior.
The fact that I am a Christian is the thing that defines me more than anything else because it plays to how I act, speak, believe, show up for my people, and love others. Now it took me a long time to realize that that is the most important thing about me, the fact that I am a Child of God and loved by a Savior. You may ask why that is more important than all those other things that I listed first, well the reason is the most important thing in this article. The reason is because everything I am, I do, and that I love in this life is temporary and not guaranteed tomorrow, but my relationship with my Savior and my work for Him is what remains when everything else goes away.
One of my favorite verses in scripture is Ephesians 2:10 which says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
This verse reminds me daily of my identity which is that I am God’s handiwork, and it assures me that as long as I have breath in my lungs, God has something for me to do that is important to His kingdom. That is what I’m here for, that is my purpose, and that is WHO I AM!!!!! My prayer for you is that when the questions come about who you are and to whom you belong, I hope this verse and article comes to your mind.
Also, if we did meet on the street, I think I’d end our conversation the same way I end most conversations with my students and my favorite kids in the world, which is always remember I love you, but Jesus loves you more!!!!!!
Ms. Faulk
