There are two aspects to finding significance in life. The first one answers the question of identity: “Who am I?” The other answers life’s second big question about purpose: “Why do I exist?”
We derive meaning and identity from understanding who we are in Christ. It’s a position we occupy. It’s a relationship with God, not a thing to be found through fame, fortune, and power.
Our Identity is about how God sees us.
If we live out of an identity based on how God sees us, we no longer feel the need to find our worth in our external circumstances.
It frees us up to live confidently and stably instead of changing who we are based on the opinions of others, our professional success, how we see ourselves, and all the other ways we define our significance. It gives us the opportunity to experience God’s unconditional love in new and fresh ways. And it allows us to confidently and boldly share His love with others.
It is certainly a battle as we live in a world that seeks to define us by its own standards. But the battle is worth it because as we fight it, the world around us changes. We begin to see things in a different perspective– as God sees them inlcuding ourselves.
On the other hand, God has a purpose for our lives, which is why we exist. It is the other half of our search for significance. Once you settle the issue of who you are, the next question is, “What does God want me to do with my life?”
Purpose is what gives meaning to our lives and a sense of fulfillment to everything we do. However our Identity is intricately woven into our purpose.
Knowing your identity gives you various advantages such as:
1. Confidence, Self-Esteem and Awareness
Knowing who you are and Whose you are changes everything. If you knew that you were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), that would change the way you view yourself. If you knew that your body was a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19), maybe that would influence how you treat it. What if you were aware that you were royalty (1 Peter 2:9)? Would you then start boldly reigning with God as His daughter? What would happen and what would you do if knew that your identity was based on how God views you?
2. Self-Validation and Increased Faith.
When you know that God validates you, you’re no longer worried about your performance. You know that you’re already equipped to do what God is calling you to do (2 Corinthians 5:20), and you have faith that He will do the work through you. Gone are the days what other people think, or even what you think about yourself. Your faith and hope are no longer based on yourself or others, but God.
3. A better position to understand your purpose.
Until you know who and whose you are, you’re going to have a hard time fully understanding why He created you: you’re going to have a hard time understanding your purpose. Your identity and your purpose go hand in hand. Your identity is comprised of your gifts, talents, education, passions, upbringing, and so much more. All of these factors serve as supporting roles and tools in your purpose. Knowing your God-given identity helps you better understand how they all fit together and what role they will play in your purpose and assignment.
What mindset shift do you need to have in order to know your identity and pursue your life’s purpose?