In early 2020 (pre-COVID), the Southwest Region Ladies Uplift Circle held a gathering on the San Carlos reservation. Over 35 sisters gathered on a beautiful Saturday morning for fellowship, an insightful devotional, and to do some deep cleaning of the mission.

It truly was an uplifting weekend. Aside from polishing pews and lining kitchen drawers, we spent time discussing the question “What is my identity?”

Nowadays, people are curious about their genealogy and constantly wonder, “Where did I come from?” and “What is my family heritage?” 

They sometimes order DNA tests from 23andMe and Ancestry.com, to name a couple. Although this research is incredibly interesting, does it really determine who we are? Or is there more to me than charts and percentages on a report?

Thinking back on my own life growing up, I often struggled to decipher my identity. 

Society always seemed to have a label (or several) for me. 

Chicana, Latina, Mexican, Mexican-American, American of Mexican Descent, Californian, Hispanic…the list goes on. 

With such a vast menu of ethnic options to choose from, how was I supposed to choose for myself? And even if I did manage to choose, someone would always argue against me. How should I then be “classified”? Perhaps, if I had been secretly adopted, then the answer would be “None of the Above.”

But in any case, I was always left asking, “Who am I?”

The real question I should be asking myself is “Who does God say that I am?”

• “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” (1 John 3:1)
• “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God.” (Romans 8:16-17)
• “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Some other titles include “prince in a Holy Nation” and “flawless and pure.” I would take any of those labels before my Ancestry.com breakdown any day! 

Another verse we discussed that day in San Carlos is found in Genesis 1:27: “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” 

Not only did He make us in His perfect image, but He chose us. I could have been born to any family, in any country, perhaps on the other side of the world. Yet, the Lord saw fit that I belong to a family that has introduced me to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Knowing this, I no longer care what society would like to label me because I am a child of God. He chose me. And choosing Him was the best decision I have ever made.

If we know who we are, now what? What do I do with that information? What is my purpose? 

Simple, love others. They were also created by God, in His image, for His purpose.

I am Zarella Scolaro, and I am a child of God.

Now your turn: “I am [INSERT YOUR NAME], and I am a child of God.”