Who Are You?
Have you taken time to think about the fact that you matter? Your life has a purpose. God is working but everything He does on the earth, He does it through his people.
Our country is in a place where fear is rampant. Fear leads to division, hate, accusations, offenses. The environment we have today is similar to the one at the time John the Baptist appeared on the scene. When he began preaching and baptizing, spiritual leaders approached him and challenged him with five questions.
The priests ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, “I am not the Christ.” What then? Are you Elijah? He said, “I AM NOT” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” “What do you SAY about yourself?” He said: “I am, ‘The voice...’ They asked him, saying, “WHY...? John answered them, there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming AFTER ME, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose” (John 1:19-27). Look at these questions with YOU in mind. Who are you? We have to ask ourselves this question. Human dignity has been compromised but it's important you know who you are. You are beloved by God. He thinks about you, focuses on you, considers you. He doesn’t think about things that don’t matter. YOU MATTER. He thinks good of you. The thoughts He has for you are good. He's into you! He counts the number of hairs on your head. This seems such a frivolous thing for Him to think on. But, He loves you with all His heart. He loves us individually as if we were the only one He cared for. He is your author, your creator. You came through your parents from God! You are not an accident. You were destined on purpose, for a purpose, born by the will of God. This imparts a sense of dignity. You are not a mistake.
The other side of “Who are you?” is knowing who you are NOT. It's just as important to know who you are not, as it is to know who you are. We fall into comparison with others so easily but it is a polarizing exercise. You are unique, created with something tailored to you. You are not supposed to be like anyone else. Figure out who you are and be yourself. Be the best YOU. What do you say about yourself? Have you heard of the 90 second pitch? Can you say who you are in 90 seconds? Learn how to articulate who you are. We can lose who we are as we travel through life. We lose focus, get confused, try to be like other people. It helps to ask others what they see in us. It’s important to be able to say who you are. John was also asked “Why?” - why you, why now, why do you do what you do? What is your why? Your responsibility is to find out your why. If God thinks of you and He created you, it had to be for a good reason. Why? What is your cause? Knowing your why helps in difficult times. You have a cause and a reason to get up and go.
Some questions that will help you with your why are:
1. What makes you tick? God is the author of your desires. He planted them in you. Listen to your gut. 2. What makes you angry? Where do you hurt? There is a tension between what makes you glad and what makes you mad. It pulls you into the sweet spot of destiny, the passion that fuels your destiny. The passion of Christ was where He suffered. Don't numb the pain. Follow it. It will lead you to your why. 3. Who follows you? Get linked to a community bigger than yourself. Dreams grow up to become legacy. Initially a dream begins selfishly. But, as we link with others, that’s when everything about you and your dream matters. It’s no longer personal but becomes generational. Everything you do is a seed. Like Abraham, your actions open up legacy for those who come after you. To tell the difference between destiny and a frivolous idea, look at who benefits the most. If it's other people, then you are affecting generations, living in the realm where God blesses.
As we figure out the answers to these questions, let’s commit. Let’s resolve. Be a part of the local church with your time, talent, and treasures. Together we are the expressed body of Christ. Commit to covenant relationships. Welcome authority and accountability and don’t let selfish, short- term, superficial attitudes destroy family and friends. Prosper. It is a healthy sign that I am a part of the kingdom of God. Create wealth with the power God gave you then be a channel of wealth for God and for your descendants. Be a solution to the social and spiritual pollution. This is our Father's world. The educational, ecological, economical, entertainment environment is our responsibility. This is our mandate. This is our ministry. This is our mission. Let’s decide to serve this generation well.
The priests ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, “I am not the Christ.” What then? Are you Elijah? He said, “I AM NOT” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” “What do you SAY about yourself?” He said: “I am, ‘The voice...’ They asked him, saying, “WHY...? John answered them, there stands One among you whom you do not know. It is He who, coming AFTER ME, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose” (John 1:19-27). Look at these questions with YOU in mind. Who are you? We have to ask ourselves this question. Human dignity has been compromised but it's important you know who you are. You are beloved by God. He thinks about you, focuses on you, considers you. He doesn’t think about things that don’t matter. YOU MATTER. He thinks good of you. The thoughts He has for you are good. He's into you! He counts the number of hairs on your head. This seems such a frivolous thing for Him to think on. But, He loves you with all His heart. He loves us individually as if we were the only one He cared for. He is your author, your creator. You came through your parents from God! You are not an accident. You were destined on purpose, for a purpose, born by the will of God. This imparts a sense of dignity. You are not a mistake.
The other side of “Who are you?” is knowing who you are NOT. It's just as important to know who you are not, as it is to know who you are. We fall into comparison with others so easily but it is a polarizing exercise. You are unique, created with something tailored to you. You are not supposed to be like anyone else. Figure out who you are and be yourself. Be the best YOU. What do you say about yourself? Have you heard of the 90 second pitch? Can you say who you are in 90 seconds? Learn how to articulate who you are. We can lose who we are as we travel through life. We lose focus, get confused, try to be like other people. It helps to ask others what they see in us. It’s important to be able to say who you are. John was also asked “Why?” - why you, why now, why do you do what you do? What is your why? Your responsibility is to find out your why. If God thinks of you and He created you, it had to be for a good reason. Why? What is your cause? Knowing your why helps in difficult times. You have a cause and a reason to get up and go.
Some questions that will help you with your why are:
1. What makes you tick? God is the author of your desires. He planted them in you. Listen to your gut. 2. What makes you angry? Where do you hurt? There is a tension between what makes you glad and what makes you mad. It pulls you into the sweet spot of destiny, the passion that fuels your destiny. The passion of Christ was where He suffered. Don't numb the pain. Follow it. It will lead you to your why. 3. Who follows you? Get linked to a community bigger than yourself. Dreams grow up to become legacy. Initially a dream begins selfishly. But, as we link with others, that’s when everything about you and your dream matters. It’s no longer personal but becomes generational. Everything you do is a seed. Like Abraham, your actions open up legacy for those who come after you. To tell the difference between destiny and a frivolous idea, look at who benefits the most. If it's other people, then you are affecting generations, living in the realm where God blesses.
As we figure out the answers to these questions, let’s commit. Let’s resolve. Be a part of the local church with your time, talent, and treasures. Together we are the expressed body of Christ. Commit to covenant relationships. Welcome authority and accountability and don’t let selfish, short- term, superficial attitudes destroy family and friends. Prosper. It is a healthy sign that I am a part of the kingdom of God. Create wealth with the power God gave you then be a channel of wealth for God and for your descendants. Be a solution to the social and spiritual pollution. This is our Father's world. The educational, ecological, economical, entertainment environment is our responsibility. This is our mandate. This is our ministry. This is our mission. Let’s decide to serve this generation well.
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