Who Am I?Sample

The Need for an Identity

From birth to death, we navigate life’s journey wearing many different identities along the way. Life begins with a question about our identity: "Is the baby a girl or a boy?" Even in death, people define us by our identity—he was a good man, she was a devoted mother, and so on. Whether we like it or not, we are constantly defined by criteria like our gender, the color of our skin, character traits, ideologies, occupation, etc.

Why is humanity so obsessed with identity? Because God created us that way. When God created humans, He instilled within us both an ‘identity’ and a ‘need’ for it.

'Created in God’s image' is a distinctive identity given exclusively to humans. No other creation shares this privilege. But because of the sin in Eden, man lost the divine image bestowed upon him by God, thereby also losing his original identity.

However, despite losing this identity, man has not lost the ‘need for an identity.’ Since this inherent need still persists within us, we continue to pursue our own unique identity. Because identity gives meaning & purpose to our lives, it defines who we are and it is reflected in our speech, mannerisms and habits.

A teacher who has spent his entire life defining himself by his profession carries it into everything he does. It shapes his daily schedule and the way he dresses, speaks and walks. But after retirement, he feels purposeless without students to mentor. In the same way, a beauty queen defines herself through her beauty and title, which influences the way she walks, talks, and deals with others. But when the crown is passed on, or when wrinkles mark her skin and the attention disappears, the reality of a lost identity feels like a slap in the face.

Our identity can either make or break us. How we define ourselves decides the trajectory of our lives. Wrong identity can ruin our lives because it makes us run the wrong race toward the wrong purpose. So it is vital that we know who we truly are.

The great news is, God is deeply moved when He sees people searching for their true identity. To restore the identity lost in Genesis, God devised a comprehensive, long-term plan.

As the first part of His plan, God chose a particular race of people for Himself. This chosen group was designated as 'His people.' Those who received this identity as 'God's people' are none other than the Jews. Even today, they fiercely guard their unique identity and diligently pass it down from generation to generation.

But God’s plan didn't just include the Jews; it encompassed all of mankind, including you and me. That is why He took on human form and came to earth as Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus and His work on the Cross have their identities restored. In the next few days, let’s explore what our true identity is.

Challenge Question:

What labels have you reached for in trying to define yourself? Have you looked for your identity in your appearance, your work, your circle of friends, your taste in music, or something else?