Your fingertips hold the key to your identity, specifically the pattern of arches and swirls called friction ridges. Forensic experts trained in fingerprint identification, also known as dactyloscopy (toss that one out around the water cooler) compare the tiny friction skin ridge impressions from fingers when identification is needed. The unlimited combination of friction ridge skin patterns means that no two finger prints or palm prints are ever exactly alike. We have them when we are born and sometimes they are the determining factor in identifying us at death.

There are over six billion people on the earth today and every one of us will leave a unique fingerprint on the world in which we live. God loves uniqueness – making each snowflake one of a kind…and you as well.

But, for those who are following Christ, there is another identity – an identity more real than the physical print someone can trace back to your body. This identity is so complete when we confess Jesus as Lord, Heaven records our name under “New Creation” and without doubt it is written in ink! The reality is that we’ve moved into a new realm spiritually. We’ve been given a wonderful gift of never ending life; we’re in fellowship with God – today and throughout eternity. But, our day-to-day life reminds us all too often of our fingerprints. We’re praising God one moment and cut off in traffic the next. We’re not feeling too Christ like in our thoughts, words and actions and leave a piece of our mind behind at the “scene of the crime.”

This is when the accuser of the brethren shows up and reminds us of the “evidence” he’s got on us. “You’re prints are all over that! That’s who you really are. You’re no different. Nice try.”

“You were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world.” Most of us, even our best day, don’t think of ourselves as being significant, being desired, being pursued or much less wanted. The word says that you were chosen before the foundation of the world.

Who are your heroes? Who are the people, past and present, that you think have it all together: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, Smith Wigglesworth, Billy Graham…the A Team. I have staggering news for you. You were chosen at the same time they were! You are on the same team!

Not a word needs to be uttered in your defense. Your defense has already been given by the One who chose you before the foundation of the world.

The same hands we lifted to God in surrender are lifted once again in praise – thanking Him for the blood of Christ that cleanses us from all unrighteousness. In our humanity we will always have our fingerprints, and they should be celebrated for scripture reminds us we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

The choice is ours every day. We can leave our fingerprints on life, or leave a witness to the life of Christ in us. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) John the writer of the fourth Gospel summed up our relationship with Christ and ultimately our identity in six short words, “He must increase…I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

Today’s thought: The fingerprint of God is on us all. Sometimes our identity can be incriminating others liberating. Make the conscience choice to identify yourself with Him today. You are one the A Team.

Today’s Scripture: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Today’s prayer: Father, today I choose to walk as a child, a son or a daughter. I will believe you, trust you and depend on you. You are my life, my source and my all. Fill my spirit with your Spirit. May my life make much of You.

Quiet down for a few more minutes and see what you hear in your spirit, or feel impressed to write down, or a thought to capture.

Written by: Marc Owings on March 14th, 2012
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