Meet Christina | Confidence Without Compromise #10

Christina, Iowa

Creator, My Ginger Cup of Tea

Meet Christina. A traveler, blogger, and follower of Christ. In this week’s feature, Christina talks about securing our identity in the Lord and finding true belonging in Him.

Q: What does “Confidence Without Compromise” mean to you?

A: When I hear “Confidence Without Compromise,” I understand it to mean that I am a daughter of the King, and nothing will ever change that! For some that may sound cheesy or cliché, but it has so much truth. When I consider who I am outside of Jesus Christ, I may have confidence for a minute. I may see that I am a talented artist (barely) or graduated summa cum laude (I didn’t). I may find traits and aspects of my personality that I like, but I see my failures and mistakes come up pretty fast, and soon I notice the earth under my feet is shifting.

But Confidence Without Compromise is understanding that I am nothing without my Savior, and with Him, I’m everything He created me to be.

In Jesus, there is so much joy and satisfaction as I no longer wish to be like someone else. Instead, I can rest in Him, the author of my life.

As I rest in the Lord, I will then be able to truly love and serve those to whom I was just comparing myself because it’s no longer about me, but it’s all about Him.

Q: How has your faith given you confidence?

A: Do you ever question where you’re from? Really? Because I do. All. The. Time. In being asked, “Where are you from?” I always hesitate, trying to gage if this person needs my full story, or if they need only know where I live right now. You see, I grew up in Colombia as a missionary kid. I was born and raised there till the age of 14. Since then, the only other place I’ve lived is Iowa, and even though it’s been 10 years, I still love to claim the fact that I have two passports, speak two languages, and I cling onto some things from both cultures.

Though this is cool in many aspects, the crux is that it can confuse a person. Where you’re from plays largely into your identity, and when you’re not quite sure where you’re from, it feels like you’re not quite sure who you are because it also affects your culture.

By God’s mercy and grace I came to know my need of Him at a young age and have been able to rest in Him for many things, including this: My confidence comes from the fact that Christ has given me a citizenship in heaven (Phil. 3:20) and that I am a child of God (1 Jn. 3:1).

Outside of God, I can’t know who I am or where I belong.

However, because of Jesus and His life-giving work on the cross, I can have the confidence to do all He calls me to knowing that it has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (Eph. 3:20). Where do you belong? How do you identify yourself?

Q: What is a go-to Bible verse that you turn to when you need confidence or hope?

A: 1 John 3:1-3: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

This is the good news of Jesus Christ; children who were once sinners and enemies of God are made pure and like Him all because of the Father’s LOVE! Amen!

Q: What encouragement would you give to other young women regarding living for the Lord?

A: My life, recently, has kept coming back to the two greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” These are two commandments that are so easy to neglect because love is so arbitrary.

But when you truly understand what it is to love God, you won’t be able to do anything except live for Him. And out of that, you will love your neighbor guaranteed.

We cannot love our neighbor without love God. It’s only with the love that He gives us that we are able to love others. So, rest in this: God loves you. Therefore you can love Him, identify yourself in Him, and when that comes into play, you’ll be able to love others.

Learn About My Ginger Cup of Tea

This is a blog that I started when I wanted an easy way to communicate and write a newsletter for my internship in France during my senior year of college. Since then, it has morphed into a blog where I have been able to share special moments with my family and friends. I have plans and ideas to write different series and posts about our spiritual walk, ministries, and life in general. This is not a fully fleshed out idea, but if you are interested in following me, go ahead and subscribe, and you’ll get an email whenever I post.

Q: How have you seen God work in your life and the lives of others during your involvement?

A: I have no idea if God has blessed others through this platform, but I do know that He was able to open up my own heart and mind. There were points when I was vulnerable in public, but there were also times I was able to reflect on the beautiful things He has given me. I hope that in the future this can be an encouragement and exhortation to others. If you have themes that you want to hear about from someone like me or other ideas, let me know!

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