As Christians, understanding identity can be a complex matter. The world says that we
are the sum of our accomplishments, but the Bible tells us that we are children of God. As Pastor
Tim said on Sunday, “We all need belonging in our lives.” It’s easy to find our identities in
work, school, sports, clubs, or anything else.
Before I began to follow Jesus, I found my identity in my accomplishments:
sports, music, school, etc. I believed that I was not worthy or valuable if I was not the best at
something. As I grew closer to the Lord, I learned that I don’t need those things– with Christ, I
am made whole. As Paul said in Philippians 3:7, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider
loss for the sake of Christ.” This verse helps me remember that nothing is as important as God
and His Kingdom. He created me to serve Him and bring Him glory through my talents, not to
show off my abilities or find my worth in them. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are
sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from
God.”
1 Corinthians 3:7 says, “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is
anything, but only God, who makes them grow.” This verse tells me that on my own, I am
nothing. My accomplishments, skills, and good works are nothing without God. Alone, I am not
enough, but because Jesus died on the cross, paying for my sins, He says that I am enough. Now,
my identity is found in Christ alone instead of worldly accomplishments.
By Madi Lawson
