I Am Who You Say I Am

What does the word identity mean to you?

The literal definition of identity is: the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is.

The problem with being defined by a set of character traits is the fact that we have the ability to change or morph the things that define us to fit what we want someone else to think of us. Essentially, we change our identity to please people around us.

You may think you’re not a victim to identity change, but I’d bet anything that you actually are.

Whether it was an intimidating job interview, your first day of class, or maybe a blind date, you probably altered your characteristics to match the people around you, without even noticing.

I do this all the time.

I like to call myself “boomerang funny”, meaning I'm amazing at group conversations because I feed off of other peoples’ jokes and energy. So you can only imagine how hard I panic trying to make conversation with people in serious situations.

My first few meetings in the professional world were full of awkward side-eyes and me considering pulling the fire alarm so I could escape.

Slowly I caught on and learned, but I also had to alter my identity because this was the time and place to do so. I had to tone down the jokes and banter and act more professional because it was my job.

But let me tell you what is not my job.

All the hours of the day where I second guess my outfit as I walk past someone pretty at the store. Those moments I spend worrying about a text I did or didn’t send to a friend. The countless seconds wasted wondering if my music taste is too boring, my laugh too loud, my quirks too much for people.

All of these little character traits that I spend worrying about are just a few of the things that God intended me to be.

He created each of us with an identity that is as unique as our fingerprints. The things that make us odd, silly, serious, hilarious, wonderful, faithful, or downright courageous are crucial to our testimony and how people view Christ and his love.

Yes, I am kinda silly. I make weird jokes and have an unbelievably odd range of character voices, but guess what? Four year olds think I am ridiculously relatable.

Serving at church has been such an important part of my faith and a huge reason why, even when I struggled in my walk with Christ, I never fell too far off track. Hanging out with little kiddos serves a purpose in the church, and it allows me to see Jesus again through the eyes of a child. (Truly one of the most precious things in the whole world to me.)

So why do I constantly worry about what others think of me when I know why God created me to be this way? Sometimes, I’m just in that season of comparison.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said 1,000 times in these blogs. Comparison of your background

scenes to someone else’s highlight reel stunts our growth and causes seeds of “identity crisis” in our hearts.

We have to start seeing our unique traits as opportunities to serve the Lord.

Do you think you’re too talkative? Great. What better way to talk about the blessings in your life than to share with others?

Too quiet? You might be the ears someone needs to share their trials with.

Too loud? Sing his praises.

Too serious? Be a mentor.

Too silly? Work with kids.

No matter what you are “too much” of, Jesus has a spot for you at His table.

In Judges 6 & 7, there is an amazing story of a man named Gideon.

Gideon’s tale is quiet possibly one of my favorite in the whole Bible. He, like many of us, is sent with a mission and doubts his abilities. He knows his army is weak and small.

But the Lord commands him to greatness using even less of his army than he began with… and armed with trumpets and jars.

The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled. Judges 7:19-21

Gideon and his army were FAR outnumbered. He wasn’t a powerful ruler. They didn’t have anything but God on their side.

But God still used Gideon in his own unique way, and He can use you for greatness, too.

When it seems like you don’t have it in you, remind yourself that you are created in the identity of Christ. You are made with strength, love, and courage.

You are who God says you are.

So if he calls you to battle, go.