Reflection to Insight

Who am I? Who are you? These are questions of identity that many of us ask throughout our life. The path to self discovery requires that we look both inward and outward. To see what’s going on in our environment and the way in which we respond to it.

Identity is a topic that seems to be quite the subject of our current generation. Everyone wants to understand who they are and how they fit into this big wide world.

Many people turn to religion, gender, work, education, and several other things to figure out who they are. I believe this journey we all take is an important one. If or when we don’t, we run the risk of remaining stagnant.

As far as I can tell, the wisest thing we can do is to look in the right places.

That decision ultimately sits with each individual. It is up to each person to decide where they will look for identity. At the same time, while no one can ultimately tell us who we are, I think we can help each other on the path to self discovery.

If you’ve been reading my content for any amount of time, it’s not a secret that I’m a Christian who seeks to have a close relationship with Jesus. He is the One I turn to for everything. It could be choices surrounding work, love, responsibility, hobbies, person to person interaction, and just about any other area within life. My identity is no different.

The Bible teaches us that as children of God our identity sits with Him. He sees our value and tells us that we are loved. Others may cut us down. We may feel unlovable due to guilt or self loathing.

But if we choose to identify as a child of God, and seek intimacy with Him, all of that darkness falls away.

The words of others may hurt when they reject or judge us. Our own internal voice might act like a menace and scream out nothing but scorching criticism. But every time this happens, we have the option of turning to Jesus. Knowing deep within our soul and spirit that we have nothing to prove to ourselves or anyone else.

God made us all unique and beautiful, and even if that is not seen by ourselves or the world, our creator sees it. Even if we become secure in ourselves, and we have people surrounding us who share their love and loyalty, none of that can truly out pace or out weigh God’s love.

I think it’s evident that many problems regarding identity and mental health attack several people throughout the world. All in different age, ethnic, social, and religious demographics. But truly, while I can ultimately only speak to my own belief and experience, I believe the fix is a resting belief in who Jesus says we are.

As I mentioned above, as a child of God we are new creations. In our imperfection we are made perfect.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:20 – 21 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassador’s, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Each of us have our own right to seek out what is true, and understand how we fit into that mold. People can share ideas of what they believe, and what their own experience is. They can tell us who they think we are, or who we could become. This information can be helpful indeed.

Nevertheless, if we simply take what someone else tells us and we don’t test it for ourselves, we may miss out on the chance to discover our potential. Our inner man or woman.

Even the things I write to you here on this blog you should test out. I try to think and operate off of the growing knowledge that God grants me. But I certainly don’t claim to know everything, and I know there are times where I am wrong.

It can be scary to search for truth. To search the lighter and darker parts of ourselves. But if we make the journey it will always pay off. Not only will we gain greater confidence and clarity, but we also get the ability to walk free.

Also, don’t be hard on yourself if it takes a lifetime. I believe that on this side of life no one fully knows who they are. Experience and wisdom unlock different pieces to the puzzle. But we will never stop growing and changing. So regardless of time, if you choose to discover what lies within yourself, just enjoy the ride. Know that the answers will come in time. And if you think one way may be the right way, and you change your mind later on, there’s no shame in that.