As we seek to know ourselves, we must understand that there are at least three viewpoints that we can look at in trying to understand who we are. First, we can look at what we have projected to other people. We carefully craft our image and share that with the world. Our clothing, our music, our very personality are all designed to impress others. We spend money to impress others. Carefully we craft our image to be a God honoring, church going family who appears perfect to the world. In too many cases the image explodes when the front door shuts and the father is abusive, the mother hides an addiction, and the kids fall apart in the hypocrisy. The couple look like they are working hard, but really are just spending hours at work with little productivity. Publicly this family eats healthy and condemns unhealthy lifestyles while when the door is shut, and the shades are pooled they are dining on donuts and beer. The image we project to others can also be honest and true. But too often this is difficult to maintain. We are not made of plastic, our paint fades, our energy ebbs, and flows. Living by a projected image is exhausting.
We can also choose to live by the image that is perceived by others as best for us. I attended a Bible college where the stated mission was to develop pastors, missionaries and evangelists. I was there to be a missionary. But if you attended that college and you were not designed for one of those professions you were at the wrong place. Over the course of my three years there I made some incredible friends. During downtimes many of these friends and I would play games and simply have fun together in a common area in the basement of the men’s dorm. Over time it became obvious that many of those guys were there not because of a divine calling, but because they had a father or mother who thought they would make a great minister. In some cases, families would send them there in hopes of straightening up their wayward children. I have kept up with many of those that were in that friend group. It is interesting that very few of them are in ministry today. They are still great, God honoring men. But they are God honoring mechanics, businesspeople, school teacher and more. Spiritual leaders are needed in all industries. Strive to move beyond what others have perceived you to be.
The best view to take on your identity is to submit to the actual image that God created for you. Remember you are made in His image. He knitted you in your mother’s womb with a plan for your life. Each moment of every day belongs to Him. Who you are belongs to Him. When He speaks to you about your identity, listen carefully. Ask Him lots of questions. Examine your passions and desires. What sort of work excites you? Ask Him to reveal how He sees you. Then confirm what He says with others that you trust. This examination must not be done lightly. The interesting part is that our Father is excited to reveal much of this to us. There is much that He might hold back on or we might quiver with fear and resort to living a lesser life. Paul must have been extraordinary because God showed him up front all that he would suffer. He knew what to expect yet he held steady. If you determine that you will be obedient no matter what He will tell you much more. Build your character to receive a word from God.
