There are times when you get so caught up with 'life' and listening to people's advice that you feel like you're on a roller coaster. One minute you're up, the next second you're down...and you feel pushed and pulled in every direction. Every time you try to settle down, someone has a 'word' of advice or another opportunity to volunteer or do something to enhance your career or status. Without thinking, you agree to volunteer and take on new things without the slightest thought of the consequences.

There are many good things in this life to do, but not all of them will benefit you.

If you get to a point where you feel pushed, pulled, and controlled by everyone but yourself (and God), then it may be time to get your 'identity' back. See, a stolen identity in this context is living a life that is not ideally YOUR life. You’re living a little of this person...and that person…and one more over there. You spend so much time living by other people's standards and suggestions, that your own 'voice' is smothered. Your time doesn't seem like your own and you're constantly on the run. So much of your time is spent running around that you don't have an opportunity to complete all of your responsibilities. Those things that should be done in excellence are barely getting any attention and falling to the wayside.

What about your relationship with God?

Depending on what you've been doing and for who, you may not feel you have time to read your Bible, pray, fellowship, or study. You feel like a servant to the clock and people, trying to squeeze in as much as you can in 24 hours. Is that how you want to live your life?

No one can get approval to 'run' your life without your 'YES.'

Maybe you thought you could handle all of the projects; you didn't want to hurt someone's feelings; you wanted to be successful; or you genuinely wanted to help. There comes a time in your life when you have to take an inventory and ask yourself if this is how you want to live. Is the life you're living pleasing to God? Have you even had time to consider it? Is your life focused on building a strong Christian testimony to the world? Or is it trying to build a successful career or name among it?

There may be people around you (Lord willing) that have said something to you about the number of tasks you're taking on and want to help. Instead of ignoring their help, take a moment to think about what should be the most important thing(s) in your life and place your focus there. If you feel it's getting a promotion over some other aspect of serving God, then that's your choice. You have the right to choose, but with each choice comes a consequence. Some consequences are good and others are bad, but it will come...unless you change (and repent).

Choose to serve the Lord!

When you take a moment to sift through the issues of your life, you may discover hindrances to your ultimate purpose in Christ. It is at this moment when you have to make the decision to change. Change does not come easy and it probably won't make people happy, but are you trying to please people or God?! Be a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ and not one that barely makes time for Him. Let your love be for Him and not for the world...GET YOUR IDENTITY BACK!

1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.