I had this thought this week “What defines me?” Who do I say I am, and what voices speak into that defining of who I am?
If you got into a conversation with someone that you have just met, and they said; “Tell me about yourself.” What would you say? What defines you as a person? How would you identify yourself to others? What labels would you use? What matters to you the most?
There are the big events in our lives that are often the defining moments in our lives; like graduating and gaining your degree, your first real job, falling in love and getting married, successful business deals, the birth of your children, the death of someone close to you, memorable trips, finding success and experiencing failure. The list goes on. These moments are often ones we share with others, and these moments in fact can define us to others.
But what exactly defines us to ourselves. Is it really that framed degree on the wall, or a ring on our finger? Is it becoming a parent? Or is it our actions or intentions? Do our thoughts, attitudes, or our day-to-day outlook on life define us?
From a very young age we search for something to define us. We dress and act a certain way. We play sport or perhaps pursue an artistic hobby. We constantly long for those defining moments to be something lasting, for our existence to be remembered and to matter.
We go through life trying to get to these big defining moments. It is often the driving force behind our decisions and actions– our degree, meeting that special someone, that dream holiday, that ultimate job. In the process we can often forget that it is the journey, the paths and experiences we travel along that God uses to help define us. He is in the midst of all those moments and He desires to speak to us, to share with us who He says we are.
What experiences and moments have you permitted to shape you into the person you have become?
Who do you say you are today? Whose voice defines who you are to others and to yourself? Is it those close to you, your partner, family, or friends?
There are many things in our life that compete for our interest and for our time. Many of them are good things. But for a Christian, for one who is committed to following Jesus, there is one thing that rises above all others, one thing that is paramount to our existence and identity.
That one thing changes everything and defines and contours the rest of our lives. It is that we find ourselves in what Jesus says about us above all else. His words and truth are what sets the scene for the rest of our lives. It is belonging to God and to His family that defines us most.
Today examine your heart and mind. What and who defines you? Who do you say you are?
Ask yourself, “Am I defined by what Jesus says and believes about me, or am I defined primarily by my experiences, and the words and opinions of others?
Because what we believe defines us matters; for it shapes our opinions, actions and future path. Who, and what is defining you today?
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old man has passed away, behold the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.“(1 Peter 2:9)
Prayer: Lord thank you that I am a new creation in you, and that I can find who I am, and my purpose in knowing you. Help me to be defined only my what you say about me, and the experiences you lead me in rather than the voices of the world around me, or my past. In Jesus Name Amen.
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