The Dangers of an Identity Crisis...

Who are you? Most of us identify with something we do such as parent, spouse, postal worker, or teacher, but these are roles we play in life and not who we are. Sadly it is easy to lose our identity to a role. This happens when we live for the expectations of those we serve. While service is a good thing, losing ourselves is a hazard. Consider Jesus in his public ministry as he often sent the multitudes away as he slipped off to himself for prayer. God identified himself to Moses with the words, “I am that I am”, not any of the attributes that provide life and value to his creation. All of creating depends on the involvement of God, yet he has never lost his identity in that role.

Our spouses fell in love with us before we assumed a role in their lives. They loved us for who we are as individuals, ie; our identity. That identity contributed something to their lives they didn’t want to live without. God created us for relationships, playing a role in our church and the lives of others is important, however this is how we relate to them. Relating is an expression of our identity. If everything we do is a reaction to someone or our circumstances we are living a role based life instead of one that is true to our identity.

While I am a counselor, pastor, husband, father, friend, neighbor, son, and sibling, my identity is very simple. I am a child of God. That is who I am period. I enter the kingdom of God as a child and will never be called anything other than a child in the word of God.

God’s plan for me is to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. This transformation allows his spirit to produce fruit through me, providing what my roles demand.

Focus on your identity, being transformed into the image of Christ, and God’s spirit will fulfill the roles assigned to you.

#faith #communityengagement