Identity

Who am I? Why was I created? What’s my purpose here on earth? Wait, do I even have a purpose?

These are questions I’m pretty sure we’ve all asked at some point or the other in life for whatever reason and sometimes, it can prove to be really frustrating to not have ready answers to these questions. Today, however, we’ll be doing our best to erase those frustrations by answering all of the above questions, starting from the last. We’ll be going in this order because identifying your purpose will lead you to identifying yourself. Are you ready?

✓ Do I have a purpose?

Well, duh.

One thing to understand about God is that He doesn’t deal with frivolities. He doesn’t do stuff just for the sake of it. If you’re alive, it means you were born. If you were born, it means you were formed. If you were formed, it means you were formed by God. Take a look at this verse right here:

• “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as my chosen instrument], and before you were born I consecrated you [to myself as my own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations”- Jeremiah 1:5 (AMP)

Meaning you’re not a mistake. Meaning God wasn’t distracted or dozing off when you were being conceived. Meaning He knew what He was doing. Meaning He had a reason for creating you and letting you live. Meaning you have a purpose here.

See this also,

• “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good and He validated it completely…”- Genesis 1:31 (AMP)

God didn’t create you and then frown with dissatisfaction or disappointment. He was so happy with you that He validated you. Because you, the work of His hands, are very good.

✓ Why was I created? What’s my purpose here on earth?

First of all, one thing to note here is that we’re all different; even identical twins aren’t the same in every respect. This means that our individual/specific purposes differ as well. We weren’t all created to have the same niches or do the same thing the same way. That would be boring. To find out what your specific purpose is, you need to seek answers to four basic questions in relation to your purpose: What, How, When and Where. These are points that will not only lead you to identifying your purpose, but will also help you to know how to go about fulfilling your identified purpose. Now, I might not know the answers to these questions for every individual because I’m not all-knowing, but rest assured that God knows the answers to those questions because He is God. Ask Him, He’ll answer.

In the meantime, however, we’ll be looking at common purposes that we were all created for, regardless of any social, economic or political status.

• “And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth’”- Genesis 1:28 (AMP)

One thing I personally find intriguing is that the above scripture is used usually only at weddings. Like saying the only way one can be fruitful and multiply as a believer is with respect to marriage or bearing children. This isn’t true. Even as an unmarried teenager or youth, I can still be fruitful and multiply. “How?”, you may ask. This leads us to the next point:

• “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”- Matthew 28:19 (AMP)

This shows that winning souls by witnessing the love and grace of God is also a way of being fruitful and multiplying, and I don’t have to be married to do that.

Thirdly,

• “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A [special] PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”- 1 Peter 2:9 (AMP)

The first portion of this scripture already answers in part the next question which is “Who am I?” but the second portion lets us know of another one of the purposes for which we were created: to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

And how do we do this?

To proclaim doesn’t only mean to announce officially or publicly; it can also mean to indicate clearly. In other words, you don’t have to be an ordained minister or an evangelist before you proclaim the word of God. Even if you think you’re not good with words, you can indicate clearly, through other areas of your life, the excellencies and glory of God. In fact, you’re supposed to. It’s your duty, your purpose; remember?

✓ Who am I?

Any average human being can probably attest to the fact that we daily encounter various situations and persons that try to define us by several adjectives: pretty, ugly, competent, incompetent, fat, thin, useless, valuable, unloved, loved, smart, dumb and so on. But what we fail to realize is that their opinions of us don’t matter, or rather are not as important as that of the One who made us. Why? Because you shouldn’t believe anybody over your Creator when it comes to you, no matter how smart or real or experienced the person is. Your Creator knows you best.

While it may sometimes be necessary to gain the approval of others or face criticism, you need to keep in mind that their words are not a definition of your personality. Their opinions of you or your work are not a statement of all that you are capable of. So don’t be scared of being criticized, rather, while facing criticism, face it with the mind of working on yourself to be at your best. Nobody is perfect. So when people have comments, listen to what they have to say so that you become the best version of you. But in it all, never forget your true identity— who God says you are.

And as a Christian, who or what does God say you are?

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells you that you are now a new person. You are no longer associated with your past sins.

• Romans 8:1 tells you that you are now above condemnation.

• Ephesians 2:10 tells you that you are God’s handiwork. And remember, God doesn’t make mistakes.

• Psalm 139: 14 tells you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

• Romans 8:37 tells you that you are more than conqueror.

• Zechariah 2:8 tells you that you are the apple of God’s eye.

• Philippians 4:13 tells you that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

• Galatians 2:20 tells you that you are loved; in fact, loved enough to die for.

Daily Confession.

For I am His workmanship, His own masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus. I am reborn from above, spiritually transformed, renewed and ready to be used for good works.

Action point.

Don’t forget who you are; live with your identity in mind.