Are you trying to be a “somebody?” But feeling like a “nobody?”
Sometimes it seems like the entire world is having an identity crisis. So many people are trying to find out who they really are.
We see evidence of this as DNA services are so prevalent—where a person sends in a saliva sample and is able to learn about their ancestry, genealogy and ethnicity. It makes people feel good about themselves to identify with a certain culture or family tree, and instill those customs and traditions into their lives.
We see that astrology continues to be looked upon as a source of finding out about oneself. People take seriously the idea that being born during a certain time frame and astrological sign has shaped their personality—and even their soul.
We see that our modern culture’s obsession with appearance is taken a step further, when people attempt to find an identity through it. Having a certain style in clothing, hair and makeup, or changing the body through diet and exercise, can affect our outward appearance—and influence the perception of others.
But it seems as though some are hoping that certain “look” will seep inward somehow, and change their personality. People hope to appear not just more attractive, but to appear—and be—smarter, happier, stronger, and more sure of themselves.
It’s just heartbreaking to see how many people are going under the knife nowadays, to change some perceived flaw. A person’s expectations of surgical results can go way beyond a changed body part—they look to the surgery as a way to change their life, or even who they are within.
And then there are the material possessions we surround ourselves with. A car and home are more than transportation and a place to live—they are now connected to the “lifestyle” we desire to have. Many people pursue that certain “lifestyle” as though it will define their life itself—and even their very being.
Careers, hobbies, titles and positions are also used as a way to find identity. Sadly, many obituaries—especially if the deceased was very accomplished in life—read more like a resume than a memorial of their humanity.
Social media becomes a platform for people to display their lives, and the type of person they have defined themselves as being. Like prancing birds showing off their feathers, it provokes others to jealousy—and can make them wish they were that same type of person.
People can also latch on to other people, in hopes to identify themselves—it can be a person within their circle, a celebrity, or even a fictional character. It’s as if they are hoping that person will rub off on them somehow, and change who they are.
All of this is harmless at best, or a distraction at worst—when it’s remains external, as an outside interest—and not a way to achieve an identity within. But when a person tries to achieve an identity through these things, they can wrap themselves around it—encompassing it with their whole being.
And that can be their first step down a troubled and disappointing road.
More than an obsession, it becomes a pursuit of self.
The pursuit of self is propelled to the forefront of thought, and skews a person’s way they see themselves, and the world. It affects decisions. It changes relationships. It mixes up priorities.
The pursuit to find oneself is never satisfied, and can become a fervent, constant longing. There is always more to find, more to do, more to have, and more to achieve.
The pursuit can replace God-given dreams—dreams which are fully achievable within one’s gifting and calling—with impossible, alternate realities to chase after. Like a hound dog thrown off by a scent, it can send a person down the wrong path.
It can change destinies. It can destroy lives.
And if a person “sells out” for this pursuit of identity, it can rob them of their soul.
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
I have a memory from years ago, before I became a follower of Christ. There was a dear, Christian coworker who had witnessed to me every single day. On this particular day, he was making an intense effort to get a reality through to me—it was like he was trying to snap me out of my confused daze.
As he slapped the desk with his palms, he said emphatically, “Andi, this is not life! This is not living! You have to realize that this—this world, and everything in it, this entire universe—was created by Him, and for Him…
“People always try to make God fit inside all of this, but all of this existed because He made it. He made all of this so that we could exist, and live for Him…and love Him…
“Real life—true life—is within Him.”
I remember going home and trying to wrap my head around what my friend said. It got me thinking about my own existence, and the meaning of it. I’m pretty sure that was the day when a sliver of light finally penetrated that hard shell of mine.
I thought about it a long time—and it hurt my brain. Yet, some part of my soul understood. It is very difficult to grasp this concept in our finite minds—the infinity of Christ’s existence.
The truth of this is found in the Bible. Here, Jesus is called “the Word”:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5)
The darkness just doesn’t understand. It is incapable of understanding. But if we can accept the Word—Jesus Christ—into our hearts as truth nonetheless, then we have received light—and life.
This light and life—found in the substance of Jesus Christ—is where you find your identity.
Imagine God existing, before the universe was made. Nothing existed before Him—but then, you came into existence. Before you existed on this earth, you existed within the womb. And before you existed within the womb, you existed within God’s thoughts—as He planned you.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” (Jeremiah 1:5a)
If nothing existed before Him, and then He “knew” you—before you were formed in the womb—you were essentially existing within His mind, and His being.
God knows each of us before we are conscious of our own existence—and He continues to know us infinitely more completely than we know ourselves.
And as He made billions of human beings, sending them to planet earth through a womb, so He did with Himself—forming Himself as the God-Man and coming to earth through the womb of His mother, Mary.
Jesus came to live among us. But He didn’t come to live among us just so that we may know Him. He came to live among us, so that he could die for us.
And He came to die for us, so that we may die—and live—within Him.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3)
So, do you want to find out who you truly are? Declare yourself dead!
Be dead to your self—and everything you know as yourself—your personality, your traits, your preferences.
Be dead to your outward appearance—your looks, your “lifestyle.”
Be dead to everything others have said about you. Not only those painful arrows of names, labels, prejudices, and judgements—but also those flattering words and compliments.
Be dead to your mistakes, your failures, and your unrealized dreams. Be dead to your empty, meaningless successes.
Declare yourself dead to all that you are, and all that you want to be. And find your life—and yourself—in Him.
If you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, then you are hidden with Him, in God. This is what your identity is.
“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” (Isaiah 43:7)
You have been created for His glory!
You are dead, and His light and life are within you. You are His child. You are in the family tree of His Great Name.
You possess His character, and His attributes. You love what He loves, and you hate what He hates.
You hear His thoughts. You know His truth. You possess His wisdom.
You are a carrier of His power.
You go where He leads you. You do what he instructs you to do.
Your purpose, path and destiny are all planned and accomplished within the light and life of His being.
He knows you. And by knowing Him, you receive your true identity.
Because He is the identity of every man, woman, and child who have put their trust and hope in Christ’s unfailing love—His death, and His resurrection.
Is it possible to really know who you are? It is—but only through the One who truly knows you.
God knows you eternally.
If He has your heart, then you have His. And your identity is safe and sure—forever held—by Him.
Do you know your identity in Jesus Christ? Please share your thoughts below!