I think we all have a constant craving for identity.

I know this is true for me. 

I find myself so often chasing my identity in things that I do or in ways I am perceived or in things that I wish to be true of me.

This really is a futile pursuit, isn’t it? Especially when we’re seeking these identities apart from the God who created us.

But why is this true? Why do I feel the need to establish myself in different or unique ways, to put labels on myself, to name myself in some way?

I have this longing to be branded, to be seen as something, to be regarded in some way.

I want to see myself as a therapist, a runner, a writer, a professional, a Bible teacher, an expert on theology or psychology or philosophy. 

I want these labels to be true of me, and I want others to see this in me. I want the identity to be perpetuated by the actions I take. 

But isn’t this an empty pursuit? 

Because what if I am suddenly unable to perform these works, or carry out these actions or fulfill these activities? What if I’m incapacitated? What if all this is taken from me?

Then what? Will my identity be lost? Will I be nobody?

This is why I need to find my identity not in what I do or what I make of myself, but in who I already am in God. 

Mark Batterson poses the question, “Do you find your identity in who you are or whose you are?”

This is an important question and one that I constantly need to pause and consider. 

Am I seeking to base my identity on who I am – all the various activities or roles or skills or experiences that make up my story – or am I basing my identity on the fact that I belong to God and have his stamp of approval on me?

When I think about WHOSE I am, I am content in knowing that I am loved and valued by God.

I am secure in the identity that He has pronounced over me, such as:

• Redeemed
• Loved
• His beloved child
• Set apart for Him
• A recipient of His blessings

This is the identity that should keep me content and satisfied. Knowing this and clinging to this should keep me from feeling the need to establish my identity in other, lesser, things. 

That’s what should happen, but because of my human tendency and sinful nature, that isn’t what always happens. 

What happens instead is that I often feel like my identity is being threatened, or that I’m still not “enough” or that I need to do something to make myself more of something. 

But the reality is that I don’t need to prove myself. I’ve already been approved.

I don’t need to establish myself. I’ve already been established by God.

I don’t need to show the world anything. I already have the pleasure of God. That needs to matter more than any recognition I might get elsewhere. 

So, who am I?

I am a child of God. I’m a son who is loved by my Father. 

I practice therapy. I run. I write. I take care of my family. I serve my community. I help people.

Those are important components of what I do, but they don’t define me.

My identity is rooted in who I belong to, not in what I do.

When I grasp that, I can rest in that. And when I rest in that identity, it influences all the other things I do on a daily basis.

Challenge For the Week:

1. Consider what is true about you:

• What is your identity rooted in? 
• What are you pursuing in life and have those things become fixations? Are you hinging your identity on those things?
• Who do you belong to? If you have a relationship with God, you are His. That’s your identity. Can you rest in that?

2. Change your perception:

• Learn to let go of the things that you previously based your identity on. 
• Hold loosely to those things – your experiences, your abilities and talents, your roles; realize that they are futile and temporary

3. Control your self-talk:

• Watch out for the negative chatter (“I’m not enough. I need to be better. I need to do more.”)
• Focus on what’s true and what’s positive (“I belong to God. I have worth and value.”)

Take a moment this week to give some consideration to the identity that you’ve been created with. As the Apostle Paul said, “I am what I am by the grace of God.”

What are you? Who are you? Whose are you? Do you see this is a gift of God’s grace?

Happy Saturday!