Who Do You Think You Are?

What a question, right?!

Who do you think you are?

It can be taken in so many different ways. When I hear this question, I think of a multitude of songs, tv shows, and movies that have this line in one way or another. Most the time it’s spoken in a condescending way, but that’s not what I’m trying to come off as.

I’m genuinely curious about who it is that you think that you are. What defines you? Who defines you? How do you define or identify yourself? Is it in your job? Your relationship status? Your illness? Your struggles? Your family status? Your salary? The amount of x, y, or z that you have?

Because I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing a lot of identity crisis’ going on; in my own life and in others around me and I’m a little tired of it.

We so easily define ourselves by all that’s mentioned above. Our identity is set in those ways and then we stake our reputations on them. Then if and when those things are all taken away, we find ourselves asking the same question? Who am I?

There was a long time where I defined myself as a dancer. I thought I was good and had talent and that it couldn’t be taken away. But then I kept getting held back because I wasn’t on the All Star team at the studio. And then I tried out every year for dance teams at school and never made it. I even watched my friends make it every time, still supported them, but I didn’t know who I was.

Then I found my identity in my job. I was Katelyn the Dental Assistant. I thrived knowing who I was, what I was doing, and I really loved it! But I get to work one Monday morning and I find out that we’re closing down in less than a month. Cue the shock, the tears, and the loss of identity again.

And it took me losing that job to realize that I was constantly finding my identity in other things rather than the only thing I should be identifying with.

Jesus.

Y’all, there is nothing and no one that I should find myself in other than Jesus Christ. You know why? Because there is nothing and no one who will ever satisfy like Christ.

It does not matter where you are, what you’re doing, what your relationship status is, what you’re good at, what house you have, how much money you have, and so on. All of those things can be taken away in an instant.

But you know what can’t and won’t?

Jesus.

He was there long before we were and He will be long after. He’s the one who provides every aspect of our lives not for us to define ourselves with, but to use them in ways that bring Him glory.

Every struggle we ever go through or will go through is, first and foremost a sign of the fall, but it can and will be used for used for His glory.

You know how we often see believers with terminal illnesses? The way they fight with faith and strength because they know that this too will bring Him glory? That even if they lose their life to this disease, God will still use it for glory? We should face everything like that.

That mental illness you’ve been diagnosed with? You can’t allow yourself to be defined by it. It does not control you, you control it. Whether that’s through community, prayer, medications, whatever it may be, it does not define you. Jesus does.

The relationship status you have? Single, married, separated, divorced, widowed? That doesn’t define you either, no matter what others say or the things you say to yourself. It does not define you. Jesus does.

Your financial status? Living situation? Family situation? Job? Past? Talents? Social media popularity? Whatever else you’re defining yourself by? They don’t define you. Jesus does.

We still live in a fallen world and until Jesus makes all things new, we’re still going to struggle with these things. But in the deepest, darkest parts of each of these, I challenge you to this: to stop and remember who you are. More importantly, WHOSE you are. You will not succumb to this darkness. You will not lose this battle. Why?

Because of Jesus.

So, who do you think you are? Here’s what I know:

I am His.

He is mine.

And the same goes for you.

You can find everything you’re looking for in Jesus, sweet friend. Cling to Him and Him alone.