Discovering My True Identity

By Arianna Vranas

Picture this: you step into college orientation, a new-hire training, or a book club for moms and the first thing you are given is an “I Am ____” name tag. But instead of filling it out with your name, you are instructed to fill it out with something descriptive about yourself; something you identify with, or how you think others see you. What would you write? Would you write your social media handle, where you are from, your job title, or your Myers-Briggs personality type?

For me, if I was asked to fill out that name tag as a freshman in high school, I know I would quickly scribbled down one word: dancer.

Growing up, I was a fairly shy kid but where I truly blossomed was on the dance floor. In fact, I blossomed for 13 years straight. Many amazing experiences and friendships came out of my dancing career that I would not give up for the world. But, after two reconstructive knee surgeries and ultimately being told that I would have to quit dance, I felt paralyzed. I didn’t know what to do or who I was supposed to be anymore. I had allowed dance to become my identity so when I got injured and lost my ability to dance, I felt utterly lost. The person that I knew myself to be no longer felt anchored.

Where Do you Find Your Identity?

Is it in something that can be taken away with a bad test score, a lost promotion, or a badly filtered photo? Or maybe you find your identity in your “performance” as a spouse, the men that you date, the clothes you wear, the vacations you take, or the number of volunteer hours you log. But friends, listen to me—you are so much more than that. Those earthly accomplishments, benchmarks, and standards do not define who you are.

Your true value and eternal worth come from Jesus and nothing else.

I Am Who God Says I Am

While that truth is setting in, let’s take a break from reading and tune into this game-changing video: “Who You Are: A Message To All Women.” In this video, Jon Jorgenson throws words out at you about who you are in Christ, but they aren’t any old words.

These words are truths pulled straight from the Bible.

These truths are promises that God speaks into our lives day in and day out no matter if we are listening or not.

These truths are transformative to the point that if you let them fully sink in and change how you view yourself, you will live a completely different life!

So with these facts running through your head,watch this video. Lean in. Tune in, and let the truths in this video wash over you. Listen with not only your ears but your hearts, for these are the truths and promises that your Almighty Father wants you to hear.

Pretty amazing, huh? Don’t you just wish you could get a pep talk like that every morning as you head to your 8 AM class or your stressful job? Well, you’re in luck, because you totally can! The only catch is, it’s all up to you.

Every day, the God of the Universe is telling you how valued, important, loved, capable, and beautiful you are, and every day you have the choice to decide if you’re going to tune in and make it your foundation or if you are going to continue to listen to the ways of this world.

Instead of letting the perfect (or not so perfect) score on your Econ final, your wobbly new relationship, the challenging leadership role you just landed or the mile-long list of extra-curricular-do-goods be your foundation, why not root yourself fully on the identity that God has given you? This is an identity that you do not need to do anything for. An identity that was bought at a price by the death of the pure and perfect man, Jesus.

My Identity is Found in Scripture

Why not read the Bible as truth and listen to its verses? Doing that will bring stability and a sturdy foundation to your life that you won’t find by chasing the temporary things of this world.

Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. BUT everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rains descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. (Matthew 7:24-27)

I don’t know about you, but I for sure do not want to have my life be described as “great was its fall.” If you do, then continue to live by the ways of this world, but if not, it is time to turn your eyes to your Creator and find your identity in Him alone and not in this world.

In this parable, you are the house, God is the rock, and the sand is everything you choose to put your identity in other than God. The sand could look like attention, clothing, money, stability, and comfort. It’s everything besides Jesus. I have read this passage countless times and I am guessing a few of you have as well. I bet there were times when you thought you were doing life with God as your only foundation, but when hard times came, you turned away or forgot about Him. It’s startling how quickly we begin to listen to the lies and turn away from our true identity.

“Too often we do not take our next step with Jesus because it is easier to read our Bible than it is to be obedient to what we already know. Falling into that trap leads us to build a life that doesn’t last through the hard times.” (New Spring Church)

Encouragement for You Today!

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Ladies, when you feel yourself struggling to hold onto Jesus as that rock, run to Him and He will strengthen you.

He will grow your identity, and provide a secure foundation for you.