In a world where society, especially social media, is constantly trying to add value and define who we are based on our accomplishments, what we do (or haven’t done), it is easy to see why oftentimes we tend to find our identity in the roles we play, or positions we hold.

We tend to measure ourselves or others based on what we do to the point that without it, there may be an identity crisis, not knowing who we are or where we belong. If we lose that job/title, there may be a sense of rejection or feeling not needed, perhaps unworthy. 

Other times, we compare ourselves to others and where they currently are in their lives. Then comes the pressure to try to live up to par. We try to overcompensate by keeping ourselves occupied because we think that we are adding more value or worthiness to our lives the busier we are.

However, one thing I know is that people only see a fraction of our lives, and we try so hard to make sure that the parts they see are the better parts. Hardly ever you will find people openly talking about their struggles.

Remember, no matter how old, crumpled, or beat up a dollar looks, it is still a dollar and when compared to a brand new one, they are both worth the same. 

In the same way, Our value is not defined by how we look or what we do, it is determined by our Creator. 

God says in Jeremiah 1:5 that BEFORE we were in our mother’s womb, He knew us. That means that we were known to Him before we did anything ‘worthy’ of being known!

Don’t get me wrong, we are all given an assignment, or have roles and duties to fulfill, and we want to be effective and advance, especially in the Kingdom of God. However, as believers, when we get to heaven, God will not say welcome (insert title/role). Regardless of our earthly titles (whether in the church, at work or at home), God calls us His children. – 1 John 3.

What we do or have done, versus the truth of who God says we are, often collide. That is why it is important to not be so attached to a role, that you lose your self worth if that ever changes. Positions may change or evolve, yet our identity will always remain the same in Christ. Remember Job! (Job 1:13-22).

The world will always have an opinion and find a way to back it up, and the devil knows that in the midst of all that noise, we can get confused and/or forget who we are. That is why he is always in our ears whispering words of failure or testing our identity.

The devil even tempted Jesus Himself! He tried to get Him to doubt his identity by starting with ‘If you are this, then prove it by doing that’… (Matthew 4:1-11).

But thank God that Jesus knew His identity and never gave in. He was always ready with a Word to fight back.

In the bible we read that oftentimes, Jesus detached Himself from the crowd and  went somewhere by Himself to pray and seek His Father.

That is powerful and we should learn from that because the only way that we can stand firm in who we are in Christ and go from being confused, feeling unknown or misunderstood is to connect with the only One who has given us a name and a true identity. 

Today I’d like to pose the question, apart from what you do, who are you? Where do you find your identity? 

I want to encourage someone, when you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or not quite knowing who you are or where you fit in, take some time and go back to the scriptures to read what God says about you (about us) and find your identity for He is the only One who can define you. – Isaiah 43:1, Psalm 139:13-14.

Be encouraged!

Ephesians 1:4-5 NKJV

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will..