The three-word question at first would appear to have a simple answer, but it has proven to be one of, if not, the most complex questions through the millennia of time. Since Pre-Socratic philosophers, people have continued to argue, to debate, and to ponder this question. People searching for an answer in reference to themselves often bring countless heartaches, suffering, and crimes. Until a person can begin answering this, they will wander aimlessly through life. So, what is this all-important question? “Who am I?” Simple question, but what is it asking? If someone ask you, “Who are you?” Most people response by giving their name, their occupation, their social status, or a life experience. Yet, these are only manifestations of who you are.
Remove Christ from the picture, as many have done, and it leaves them in a hopeless search. I have to wonder with the increasing rate of violence if an underlying factor comes from people who don’t know who they are. In their quest to create an identity and have their ‘fifteen minutes of fame’, they are willing to become known as the man who killed 20 people at a mall; or the teenager who shot his fellow students; or a young man or woman who randomly murders an unknown individual to establish an identity in a gang. Others search in non-violent ways for an identity by wearing a particular brand or style of clothing, by developing a certain physical appearance, by seeking acceptance into social cliques, and others by rebellious behaviors; this list is endless.
But what about Christians? How many believers really know who they are? The answer does not automatically overwhelm us when we receive Christ as Savior. We may understand we are a new creation but what does that mean in daily life? Growing into who God designed us to be is a lifelong journey. For years I taught a seminar I entitled “Dare to be different, be yourself.” But I’ve changed the name to “Dare to be different, be who God made you.” This comes as a result of hearing people attempt to justify their sinful lifestyles by claiming “this is who I am”. A first step to becoming the person God made you is accepting the fact that life is not about you; it is about God. Life isn’t about pleasure, or possessions, or social status, or physical existence. God put us here to glorify Him. Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corin 10:31).
Yes, we are a new creation in Christ. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corin 5:17 NIV)! Not only must we accept this, we must put it into practice. Struggles arise because we drag along a lot of old baggage. Sanctification is the process of learning who we are and letting go of who we were. It would be hypocritical if I didn’t share this has been a long struggle for me. I still sometimes wonder what I will be when I grow up, although I am retired. An incorrect view of who we think we are distorts our self-image. Statistics show that 85% of the population suffer from low self-image.
A poor self-image develops because you haven’t been grounded at an early age about who you are. Contributing facts result from a dysfunctional home life growing up, bad experiences, peer rejection, constant criticism from parents, not receiving solid church training, and lack of acceptance from others. This leads us to live a chameleon lifestyle changing and pretending to be someone we’re not depending on the circumstances and people we are around. Church teaching can impose incorrect standards. One example for me was the fact I’m an introvert but church leaders demanded I change and become an extrovert. I tried, but it took a heavy toll on my family and me.
If you want to know who you are in Christ and see the way the Lord views you, search ‘who I am in Christ’. It will take time to read all the scriptures and will probably surprise you because many verses will contradict who you feel you are. A strong identity by knowing who we are in Christ is like an anchor that will keep us stable in an ever changing and violent world. Coming to know, accept, and practice living who you are will bring peace, joy, purpose, and satisfaction. Be warned not everyone will like you not being who he or she wants you to be. But which is more important, being liked by finite humans or being who the eternal God made you to be.
Erik Erikson a secular psychologist coined the term ‘identity crisis’. This is reaching an epidemic level in our country for those pushing Jesus out of their life. Without Christ they wander aimlessly searching to find who they are. Knowing who you are begins with knowing Christ. With “God life is an endless hope. Without God, life is a hopeless end” (Bill Bright). “Without God man has no reference point to define himself” (R. C. Sproul).
Sustaining Word for the Week: Dare to be different this week, begin being who He made you.