From the moment we open our eyes and cry out for the first time, life sets us on this winding road where we begin trying to figure out who we are. It’s like being a newbie gamer: we’re thrown into a game, figuring things out as we go, dodging obstacles and trying to level up. We’re all on this big quest, like explorers mapping out a new world, piecing together clues to understand our own identity. Who am I? It’s like trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle without the box cover as a guide.
This journey ain’t easy. Everywhere we look, there’s someone or something telling us how we should act or who we should be. Are we winners or losers? The good guys or the bad guys? Rich or struggling to make ends meet? Even the color of our skin becomes something people notice and sometimes use as an excuse to judge us. These labels hang over us like puppet strings, making us dance in certain ways even if we don’t want to.
I (Anthony) am reminded of “Mark,” a young kid I know who is just entering high school. High school is its own universe with its own rules and challenges. High school has got its dramas, its heroes, its villains, and everyone’s trying to figure out where they belong. For Mark it was no different. But what makes his journey wild is that, even though he had a clear sense of right and wrong, he forgot to bring that spiritual compass with him to high school. So diving into high school became like jumping into a stormy sea without a life jacket. Everyone wants to fit in during those years. They want to be liked, to be known, and often that means wearing masks or even becoming someone they’re not.
“They want to be liked, to be known, and often that means wearing masks or even becoming someone they’re not.”
Amid all these challenges, there’s a chance for us to find our true selves, to figure out what makes us tick, but it’s not easy. We must sift through the noise and find our own tune. For some, like Mark, the journey’s a bit harder because they’re trying to juggle their beliefs, the world’s expectations, and their own desires. But no matter the hurdles, it’s a journey worth taking. Because, in the end, discovering who we truly are is better than jumping all the hurdles in anybody’s popularity Olympics.
Chasing Identity, Losing Yourself
When Mark first entered high school, he was a lively kid with a lot of spirit. But as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, that bright-eyed young guy felt like he was sinking into quicksand. Everyone wants to belong, right? Trying to fit in became Mark’s daily mission. He just wanted to be accepted, to be a part of the crowd. But this chase, this hustle for a spot at the cool table, started chipping away at his real self.
Here’s the thing: every time he tried to act like someone else in order to be liked, he lost a bit more of himself. He changed the way he dressed, thinking maybe that brand of shirt or those sneakers would make a difference. He even started talking differently, using the latest slang, hoping to score some cool points. But for all his effort, it felt like he was running on a treadmill—working hard but going nowhere. The groups he tried so hard to impress? They’d notice him for a bit and then move on, leaving him wondering what he’d done wrong.
Mark’s story might sound like just another high school tale, but it’s way bigger than that. It’s like a mirror reflecting what a lot of us go through. Society, whether it’s our school, our workplace, or even our online world or our church, has these boxes it wants us to fit into. But it’s like trying to stuff a square peg into a round hole—things just don’t fit right. And when we force ourselves into these boxes, it’s easy to lose track of who we really are.
“Society, whether it’s our school, our workplace, or even our online world or our church, has these boxes it wants us to fit into.”
But it’s not just Mark or us. Look around. The whole world seems to be playing this game of “you’re either with us or against us.” Everyone’s expected to pick a team, wear a label, and fight for their side. It’s not just about what music you listen to or what team you cheer for. It’s about deep-seated beliefs and values. The problem? Life isn’t black and white. It’s a million shades of gray. But when everyone is shouting and taking sides, trying to find your own voice feels like trying to hear a pin drop at a rock concert.
At the end of the day, what Mark’s story and our world’s current vibe teach us is that it’s not worth it to trade ourselves away for some other human’s new-and-improved 2.0 version of us. Sure, it’s tempting to follow the crowd or change ourselves in hopes that someone will like us more. But is it worth it if, in the end, we can’t recognize the face in the mirror? Finding ourselves amid all the noise, now that’s the real challenge. And maybe, just maybe, if we start by being clear about who we are, we can make the world a little less confusing for everyone else.
Navigating Multiple Worlds
Understanding who we really are isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s crucial. It’s like having a map inside us that points out where we should go and who we’re meant to be. When we get a clear picture of our real selves, everything starts to make sense: why we’re here, what we’re meant to do, and how we connect with others. Our self-worth doesn’t depend on someone else’s likes or comments. It’s built on the strong foundation of knowing who we truly are.
Take the story of Moses from the Bible. Born to Hebrew slaves but raised in a palace with Egyptian royals, he had two worlds pulling him in different directions. He had two voices in his head, each telling him a different story about who he was. On top of that, God gave him a huge task to do. Talk about pressure, right? But as Moses moved forward, trying to figure out where he fit in, he found out who he really was. It wasn’t just about being a Hebrew or an Egyptian—it was about being the person God knew he could be.
Think back to our friend Mark. Like Moses, he was caught in between. Part of him knew who he was—a young man loved by family and blessed with strong values. But another part kept trying on different identities, like changing outfits, hoping to fit in somewhere. But without a guiding star, like the connection Moses had with God, Mark kept getting lost.
“Born to Hebrew slaves but raised in a palace with Egyptian royals, Moses had two worlds pulling him in different directions.”
Every one of us hits crossroads in life—those big moments where we have to decide who we are and what we stand for. Some of it’s in our makeup, like the traits we’re born with or the talents we naturally have. Some of it comes from our experiences, the way we’re raised, the friends we hang out with, or the challenges we face. Beneath all this, however, is a deeper kind of identity, one that points us to something bigger, something grounded in God.
Following our instincts or just doing what everyone else is doing can seem pretty easy. It’s like floating downstream; you don’t have to work too hard. But that doesn’t lead us to our true selves. On the other hand, finding our identity in a higher purpose—even if it means going against what’s popular or easy—might be tougher, but it’s way more rewarding in the end.
Being connected to something bigger, rooted in faith in God, is more than just a label or a title. It’s a deep-down, bedrock truth about who we are and why we’re here. It’s a comforting voice that reminds us we’re loved—no matter what. In that connection, we find freedom that no trend or popular opinion can give (or take away). We find a purpose that’s bigger than any job title or paycheck. And we find a happiness that isn’t about getting likes, but about being truly, deeply content with who we are.
“It’s a deep-down, bedrock truth about who we are and why we’re here.”
Putting on Christ as Our Identity
When you pick your outfit in the morning, you’re making a decision based on how you want to present yourself to the people around you. This seems simple enough. Yet, for many people, the outfit they pick out can function as a microcosm of how they see their identity—and how they tend to change their identity based on the latest trends. Some folks figure out how they want to present themselves super early, like picking out their style in middle school. Others? Well, they’re still trying out different looks and feels even in their golden years. But at the end of the day, we all have a fundamental decision to make about our identity: Is our identity something we will try out and switch out depending on the season, or will it be something constant and secure?
Watching Mark reinvent himself every few weeks was like watching someone trying on different hats, hoping each one will be the perfect fit. Mark thought if he just acted like everyone else, he’d finally find where he belonged. That’s a lot like how most of us seek our identity through the influence of our friends, movies, or even Instagram trends. But what happens when the trend fades? You’re left searching again.
“Is our identity something we will try out and switch out depending on the season, or will it be something constant and secure?”
Did you know that the Bible describes an identity we can wear each day that isn’t built to go out of style in a few weeks? The apostle Paul urged the Christians in Rome to “clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:14). Imagine if Mark, instead of trying to fit into different groups, decided to look up and lean on his relationship with Christ. The big decision staring us all in the face is whether we chase after the ever-changing standards of the world or find our true selves in the steady love of Christ.
When we talk about our identity in Christ, it’s like finding that one outfit that feels “just right” every single time. In his eyes, we’re not judged by our bank balance, job titles, or even our past mistakes. We’re cherished and loved, plain and simple. That kind of unconditional love gives us a solid base, something to come back to no matter where life takes us, a stable home in the midst of a chaotic world.
But realizing our unshakable identity in Christ isn’t just a one-time “aha” moment. It’s an ongoing process, a daily reminder. It’s like checking in with your best friend every day, getting advice, sharing worries, and feeling reassured. Even when the world gets loud, we’ve got to listen to that calm voice of Christ reminding us of our worth.
“Even when the world gets loud, we’ve got to listen to that calm voice of Christ reminding us of our worth.”
Now, the road isn’t always going to be smooth. There will be times when what’s trending or what’s “cool” will try to pull us in and entice us to a more glamorous or less principled identity. But with Christ by our side, we have a compass that always points us to what’s real and true.
And the surprising part? When we start living our true selves, people notice. Just like Moses’s journey wasn’t just about him but led a whole nation to freedom, our own personal journeys can inspire and guide others toward a love that’s real and unwavering.
So, as we walk this path, let’s keep our eyes fixed on Christ, letting his teachings and love guide our steps. Let’s move past the temporary labels the world throws at us and dive deep into an identity that’s filled with eternal love and purpose.
Stepping into the Wide World of Identity
Life throws a lot of options our way. Think about all those ads promising happiness if you buy this or achieve that. There’s always a new trend, a new “must-have,” or a new lifestyle that promises to be the answer. But amid all this noise stands one clear, shining path: the journey to find ourselves in Christ.
We’re not going to pretend that it’s always easy. Along the way, we might get distracted by the latest fad or feel pressured to fit a certain mold. But with Christ as our North Star, we always have a way to find our direction and stay true to the person he created us to be.
Let’s kick off this adventure together, with Christ guiding our every move. Let’s shed the temporary tags and step confidently into our true identity together. By living our lives aligned with Christ, we’re not just walking the path of freedom for ourselves. We’re also lighting the way for others, showing them a path filled with genuine love and truth.
So here’s the game plan: let’s let go of the masks, ditch the temporary labels, and wholeheartedly embrace our identity in Christ. When we do, we step into a life overflowing with purpose, love, and endless joy.
