Embracing God's Beautiful Design: Why Your Identity Matters

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. -Psalm 139:17-18

Dear friend,

I want to share something that's been stirring in my heart lately—something I believe God wants us to understand more deeply about how He sees us and the beautiful diversity He's woven into His creation.

Finding Balance in Our Identity

You know, I've been thinking about how we sometimes swing to opposite extremes when it comes to our racial and cultural identities. On one side, there are those who make their ethnicity an idol, elevating it above their identity in Christ. But on the other extreme—and I think this is just as problematic—are those who believe ethnicity should never be a factor at all, that we should throw it out altogether.

I have to be honest with you: I think it's tacky logic to take the opposite extreme view of ethnicity never being a factor. While I absolutely believe many of us need to address and assess any idolatry associated with our racial identity and cultural practices that don't honor God, I think it's lame to throw it out altogether.

We Are Both United AND Diverse

Yes, we are of one new identity in Jesus Christ. As born-again believers, we aren't even of this world. HOWEVER, God created diversity. And here's what I want you to really grasp: He delights in our unique designs, having spent time knitting you together in the matrix of your mother's womb.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
Psalm 139:13-16

Since we still live in this world, diversity was meant to be enjoyed! Be honest with me—for those of you who have traveled, isn't it amazing and beautiful to participate in someone's differences? Especially if they're fellow believers! It's genuinely enjoyable and rewarding to experience the richness of how God has created us all so wonderfully different.

The enemy has taken what was meant to be another beautiful way we can connect on earth and enjoy life together, and twisted it into something disgusting and divisive. When you sit here and take the opposite extreme view, you discredit the Maker.

Unity Doesn't Erase Uniqueness

Here's a truth I need you to hear: Just because we are one in the Body of Christ doesn't mean diversity is eliminated.

And if you find yourself positioning your heart in disdain and hate toward someone based on something they can't even help—friend, you need to assess yourself. Because yikes. All these racial tensions, these "nations against nations"—it's heartbreaking. We are supposed to pray, love, and empathize with one another in Christ. Bringing our unique perspectives to showcase a wondrous Creator.

Our God delights in our differences. Because who else can join all of us together in love but Him? Making it evident that even our differences are unified under a Sovereign Ruler, laid at the feet of Jesus to take on a new identity. One that purifies our racial identity, from the filth of the flesh and demonic cultural practices- by being washed in the blood of the lamb, making us new.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8

But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 

And they sang a new song, saying: 'You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Revelation 5:9

Don't Let Others Shame Your God-Given Identity

It's truly appalling to meet believers who want you to feel ashamed and apologetic for being you. Or worse, who shame you and accuse you of contributing to division simply because you're proud of who God made you to be.

Let me share something deeply personal: Jesus once told me that my curly hair was designed for His enjoyment. He said it reminds Him of the ocean waves in Mexico. Like, you have to be completely missing the point if you think I'm going to do away with my racial identity just so conservative people will accept me at their table. A table Jesus, with His woolly hair, would flip over.

There's a massive difference between idolatry and appreciation. I don't have idolatry in my heart for appreciation.

God's Heart for His Diverse Creation

God delights in His creation, His children. He is deeply concerned and full of love for the mistreatment of so many of His precious ones. It grieves Him.

You know what puzzles me? I wonder why some people who claim "to hear God and be ranked up in knowing Him" don't demonstrate the confidence that comes from knowing how much He loves and dotes on how He created them.

Have you ever wondered why God made specific features about you the way they are? Why are you the race you are (beyond obvious geographic ancestry)? Here's something beautiful: All you have to do is ask Him.

His Thoughts About You Are Precious

I want to leave you with this powerful reminder from Ephesians 2:10:

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Friend, if God's thoughts about us are more numerous than grains of sand, how much more are His thoughts about you and your unique identity that He revels in? Every detail of how He made you—including your ethnicity, your features, your cultural background—these are all part of His intentional, loving design. For a wonderful purpose in how He will use you for His Kingdom.

You don't have to choose between loving Jesus and embracing the beautiful way He made you. In fact, when you truly understand His heart, you'll see that appreciating His craftsmanship in your life actually brings Him joy.

So let's stop the extremes. Let's walk in the beautiful tension of being one in Christ while celebrating the diverse ways He's chosen to reflect His glory through each of us.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made, beloved.

Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

What has God shown you about the unique way He's designed you? I'd love to hear your story in the comments below.