As Humans, we are quick to identify ourselves in light of our problems, what people say about us , the direction in which the crowd is moving and so much more. What’s your real identity?
Can you take out a few minutes to re-evaluate who you are and make a connection between the person you are now and the person God has called you to be?
‘God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. This is why he sent Christ to make us what we are. ‘ Ephesians 2:10
Are you who God wants you to be ?
In order to be who God wants you to be, there are certain things you need to know and come to terms with to fully integrate into the identity God has bestowed upon you.
What should you do or know in order to have the identity that God has called you to have?
‘But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ‘ John 1:12
Receiving Jesus Christ into your life is the first step to becoming who God wants you to be. Referring to the Bible verse above, it explicitly classifies those who are God’s children.
When you identify as a child of God, it is easy to know who you are and what you stand for. Although, this is not everything to be known, I will refer you to look at the best example of identity according to the Bible:
Jesus Christ
‘When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”’ Matthew 16:13-14
Imagine talking to people who know you and asking them who others think you are and you start hearing things that do not characterise who you are according to you. I don’t know what you will do but I would try to re-access the identity I portray to others. Jesus Christ did the same:
‘He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”’ Matthew 16:15-16
Everyone knows you but who do they identify you as or who are you according to them? Jesus Christ asked the same question: Who am I according to you? Frankly, when you ask someone that, you are looking for specific answers about your identity.
Not everyone can define who you are in terms of who you actually identify as but they can try. In the case of Jesus, he needed someone to define him for who he is and this is his reaction when he got the answer:
‘Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ‘ Matthew 16:17
To find your identity is much easier than someone else describing who you are perfectly. Jesus Christ already had a connection with God, thus he knew what his identity was and what he was to do even before he asked what others thought of him.
Simon Peter describing who Jesus is meant a great deal because only him and God knew his identity at this time. No other person could describe his identity perfectly if he or God did not tell them.
Do You know your identity?
Everyone wanted Jesus to be something they had imagined or wished but he knew that was not who he was called to be. He knew who he was and stood for what he believed even though it was not the direction the crowd wanted him to move in.
Truly, it is not easy to find your identity in a world where if you are moving in a different direction from the crowd, you are a misfit(
a person whose behaviour or attitude sets them apart from others in an uncomfortably conspicuous way).
It is so much easier to identify with the crowd than standalone but that lifestyle does not pay off. Do you find yourself identifying with every thing that crosses your path? What good has it done for you so far?
Do you identify with Jesus ?
I once initiated a conversation with my non-christian friends and the direction of the conversation surprised me:
We were speaking about Christians(people who are followers of Jesus Christ) and they spoke about people who identify as Christians only on paper: their lifestyles does not depict that of a Christian. I couldn’t argue because I knew it was true.
If non-christians can point out the fact that some people are only christians on paper, It should be spoken about everywhere. It is not okay to come to church, act all righteous and outside the church you are someone else.
‘The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.’ Proverbs 15:3
You cannot fool God but you can fool yourself. Do you want to serve God and have him as your friend? Choose to identify with him and only him. You cannot identify with him midway and also identify with the world midway, you must pick a side.
‘“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.’ Matthew 6:24
Are you struggling to find your Identity?
My sister once said that she would like to talk to young people about finding their identity. I feel the same way also , not only young people but everyone.
Many people struggle with their identity in different ways: by imitating people, comparing themselves to others and so much more. Sometimes, I also find myself comparing my identity to others. Most times, you struggle due to the standards set by the world nevertheless there is good news:
God has created each and every one of us to be unique in our different ways and you will look at who he has called you to be:
You are a new creation:
‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ‘ II Corinthians 5:17
You are the chosen one:
‘Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ‘ I Peter 2:4-5
You are a royal priesthood, holy nation, God’s own people:
‘But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.’ I Peter 2:9-10
You are the son of God:
‘For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ‘ Romans 8:14
You are more than a conqueror:
‘Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ‘ Romans 8:37
End Note
When you embark on a relationship with God, I am sure you will find your true identity. God transforms you into all he has called you to be and helps you define your purpose and identity.
Read the previous article here!
