What is your identity?

What is identity anyway? What it is not: your nationality, your religious denomination, your profession, your hobbies, your group affiliation or what people think of you.

God gives you your identity at birth. He put it inside you. It is within you and does not change, but it can expand, develop and deepen.

Your identity has to do with what burns in your heart, what you are passionate about, where you feel injustice, where you can get upset because things are not moving forward. Your identity is about things that are close to your heart and that have usually brought you joy since you were a child. Knowing our own identity motivates you to move forward in life with purpose and joy, I wish this for all of us!

But how do I find out what my identity is? A few years ago I came across the topic thanks to two books: “Fearless Living” by Jamie Winship and “The Power in a Name” by Bethany Hicks. As a result, I discovered my identity in prayer and contemplation. That touched me deeply, motivated and encouraged me!

In the meantime, I have held workshops in which people have discovered their identity. And they were also deeply inspired and encouraged. The reaction is usually: “Wow! Yes, that’s me – even though it seems too big for me.” I had the feeling that they all went home a little more self-assured and alive.

If you don’t know your identity yet, I would like to encourage you to explore the topic. You can figure it out without books or workshops. Thinking about what was fun in your childhood and what made you forget the time will lead you in the right direction.

In practical terms, the first thing to do is to let go of negative beliefs. Because we have all heard in our lives: you can’t do it, you’re not good enough, you’re not clever enough, and so on. We can hand this over to Jesus in prayer, because these are false identities. And then we ask him: “Who do you say I am?” If we are quiet and trust him to show us, he will guide our thoughts and give us answers. It’s best to write it down right away. Jesus’ thoughts are always positive and encouraging, but also bigger than we can imagine. Over time, if we are attentive, he will reveal more and more to us. I think you will be amazed and know at the same time: Yes, somehow I already knew that.

Although I’ve known my identity for a few years, it doesn’t always show itself. On bad days, it is barely visible. But the more I grow into it and consciously walk in it, the more consistently it will show up in my life and behavior. And it’s a joy to walk in it! My identity in a nutshell: ambassador of worth, light and peace. And I wish to radiate this wherever I go, with or without words. But this is a process in which there are highs and lows.

Your identity is a gift to the world. The world is better because you are there! Your identity is not focused on yourself, but serves others and praises and honors God. What you do within the framework of your identity will be easier for you than for others and it will require less effort from you. On one hand that’s simply because you are enthusiastic about it and on the other because it contains the works that God has prepared for you. Life suddenly makes so much more sense and you know: this is what I live for!

Pursue it and ask God in contemplation and prayer what makes you who you are, ask him what he has put in you, ask him about your identity!