Dear Family and Friends,

Have you ever noticed that when we meet someone for the first time, the first thing they ask is – what do you do?

Almost everyone I meet nowadays asks what I do. Followed by what’s the name of your church.

Aileen and I recently took a class on how to make a charcuterie board. (Guys, I highly recommend this for a date night.)

During the introductions, the man next to us said he worked for a defense contractor. Somewhat interesting.

His wife, on the other hand, smiled and declared, I’m an emergency room doctor. Judging by the way she said it, she was expecting a positive reaction.

Why do I share all this?

To highlight the fact that in our culture, the identity given to us is largely based on what we do or achieve.

What do I mean by identity?

Identity gives us a sense of self. It defines who we are. It’s the basis for how we perceive ourselves.

Identity also gives us a sense of worth, our value, our self-esteem.

For example, our new friend’s identity was based on her work as a doctor.

But let me ask a simple question – have you ever tried to introduce yourself not by what you do but by who you are, a child of God and a Christ follower?

Paul opened most of his letters by identifying himself as an apostle or slave of Christ Jesus. His sense of self and worth was based on who he was, not on what he did.

And may we never forget how Jesus gained His identity before starting His ministry. 

“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 NIV

God identified Jesus as His Son, told Jesus He loved and was pleased with Him before Jesus did anything.

Meanwhile, our culture gives us an identity based on how well we achieve what is valued by society.

Which means we have to spend a lifetime doing things to gain and maintain our identity.

Striving for a worldly identity is not only exhausting, it obstructs us from seeing our true selves, a new creation in Christ.

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  2 Corinthians 5:16-17 ESV

And what’s worse, this chase for our identity draws us away from keeping Jesus front and center in our lives.

When I was an accountant, not many people knew I was also a Christian.

It’s somewhat funny (not haha funny), but when I meet old acquaintances and tell them I’m a pastor, they usually think I’m kidding… 

It’s not that I was ashamed of my faith. It just didn’t feel right to share. I imagine this is sad but true for many of us.

We shouldn’t feel this way.  

When we think about who we are, our identity in Christ should be at the top of the list! We should be proclaiming who we are – a Child of God. Not burying it so deeply that people never suspect our real identity.

An identity in Christ is the only identity we need and should want. 

So, how do we overcome the ways of the world, and set our identity in Christ? Let me offer a few thoughts to help get us there.

First, let’s not allow our identity to come from the world.

There are too many stories of people losing their identity and falling into depression following big life changes (sometimes called an Identity Crisis). Big life events like retirement, the loss of a job, or the collapse of one’s employer. Devastating personal financial losses. Divorce.

We should not rely on the unreliable. “Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot.”  Proverbs 25:19 GNT

Second, let’s remember that Jesus could not give Himself an identity.

As it had to come from someone, His identity came from the Father.

And the same holds true for us. Imagine our Father repeating the words of Matthew 3:17 just for you.

Lastly, If you find yourself in the middle of a big life change, hang on to the fact that you have the love and approval of Jesus who gives you your identity. He knows your name. And He values you beyond measure.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”  2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV

Let us never forget that by giving His life, Jesus gave us a new life with a new identity. One that will help us as we pass through the valleys of life.

Praying we go forward bravely and proclaim who we are.

In love always,