A lot of us usually struggle with identity. Sometimes we define ourselves based on what we do, or based on what other people think about us. There are a lot of questions in the world today that spring from identity crises.
Who are you?
There are questions that appear easy but most times are difficult to explain or talk about. Would you like to take a second and think through this question? What was your answer to that simple question? Did you define yourself based on your profession, achievements, failures, marriage, roles, etc.? All these methods of definition are not bad at all. However, what if you lost your job or achievements? What if you succeed again? All these definitions above are good but can be subject to change.
Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 (AMPC)
“Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.”
These two scriptures are not talking directly about identity. However, in Matthew 6, Jesus was instructing his audience not to store up treasures on earth. This is not particularly speaking against prosperity or saving, but He was talking about not putting your heart on things of the earth because such treasures can be stolen. A typical example of a man putting his treasure in things of the earth in the Bible was the rich fool. He looked at everything he had and said to himself, “I have surplus and I will take down this barn, build another, then eat and be merry.” This man put his trust and heart in what he had achieved, which could be stolen.
I am using this illustration to paint a picture that will later make sense as we explore our identity. It is safe to use Jesus’ teaching to infer that “our identity should not be in things that are of the earth.” Things that are of the earth can be stolen and can be destroyed, as we just saw. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:18, explains that things that are of the earth are temporary. Drawing our identity from things that are seen and are of the earth is dangerous because they can be stolen or destroyed.
For example, it is beautiful to be a wife or a husband, but people make strange decisions every day. So, who are you outside of being a mother, wife, doctor, husband, father, etc.?
There are some of us who are not even in the category of identifying with the above, but you daily ask: Who am I? Sometimes, you are not asking in these exact words, but you are identifying as someone you see on TV or in your life. Maybe you are trying to be like a popular high/middle school mate. This is not your fault at all—we are in a world where everything contends for our identity: our schoolmates, popular social media influencers, social media itself, TV, and any other thing you can think of.
Let’s play this mind game. Think of something you love to create and imagine you just created that thing. Yes!! You created something. Where do you think what you created would get its identity from? Definitely, it is obvious that it cannot give itself an identity, right? It is also evident that an outsider or even your closest friend cannot give your creation an identity, right? Because they cannot decode or fully understand your intent and why you created what you created. This mind game is intended to bring us to a point where we can understand that we cannot give ourselves an identity, neither can an outsider do so. Our true identity can only come from our Creator.
Who you are not
You are not a failure. As a child of God, you are not a sinner, and even if you are walking in sin, you need the mercy of God and accountability to an authority in Christ, but you are not a sinner. You are not defined by your experiences or your decisions, even though you might need the wisdom of God to make better decisions. You are not what the devil or people call you. You are not the lies the evil one whispers in your ears.
Let’s dive into it
1 Peter 2:9–10 (NIV)
“9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Now, who are you?
You are chosen, you are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and you are God’s special possession. You are called out of darkness and you belong to light. You are God’s own person, and you have the mercy of God. This is the best description of a creation by its Creator I have ever read. Note that this identity cannot be stolen or taken away from you.
1 Peter 1:23 (NLT)
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
You are born again—that is, born of/by God. God is your Father. The Creator of heaven and earth is your Father. Guess what? This life is not a temporary one, but it will last forever—it is eternal. You are eternally a child of God. This should affect the way you see the world.
Your Father created heaven and earth. This should help you not to compare yourself to others but instead appreciate and value who God has made you to be. You are special.
The only one who accurately defines you is God, and this is why you have to be interested in what He has said concerning you.
Hey!!! Can I meet you?
Me: Yes, I am a child of God.
I am born of God, and I am forgiven.
I am chosen, a holy nation, and a royal priesthood.
I am a child of light, and I am light.
I am one who has received the mercy of God.
My name is Oluwabunmi, meaning “blessed of God.”
So friend, can I meet you?