One of Arthur Miller’s books is called Incident at Vichy. A man appears before a Nazi guard. The Nazis have just invaded their town. The man is well-educated and well-respected. He shows his credentials to the guards. These include his university degrees and his letters of reference from well-known people. 

The guard asks him: “Is that everything you have?” The man nods Yes. The guard takes everything and throws it into the garbage.

It’s a cruel story. It also invites a question: Who are we if all the external signs of our identity are stripped away?

What if all your degrees were taken?—and also your trophies, ribbons, prizes, awards? What if all of your prized possessions were taken? What about those things which have special sentimental value?

I’m sure it would be difficult. But the point of this devotional is to encourage us to think about who we truly are if all those external signs of our identity are stripped away.

Followers of Christ are first and foremost children of God. We have been adopted. Listen to how Paul describes us in Ephesians 1:4-5: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ…”

Let’s be clear. I really hope that someone does NOT steal or take all of your things. But no matter what happens to them (or us) in life, know that we already have what matters most: the rescuing care and promises of our heavenly Father.

Let’s treasure our relationship with him. As Jesus says in Matthew 6:21: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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Notes:

–“Fearfully and wonderfully made.” Sermon. July 16, 2023. Click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.