I met with a friend last week and much of our discussion centered around identity. I think many in my generation have an ongoing battle with identity. It is no secret that many who have graduated college in the last 5 to 10 years have been forced to find jobs not within their area of degree and we’ve learned to be grateful just to have a job because many do not.
Employment is often an area where many of us place our identity. It is quite easy for me to know myself as a worship leader. It is quite easy for my friend to know himself as a deadbeat working a dead-end job just to get by. For different reasons, the true identity we each have is getting lost.
This idea of identity is something I’ve been processing a lot lately because it is so closely tied to the purpose for life we each have. If our identity is employee or parent or deadbeat, that can often become the main purpose we have for our lives. Whether it be good or bad, it is not our true identity.
As I’ve navigated this for myself I want to recommend a few things that are helpful (or have been for me).
- Spending time in God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” As we’ve talked about, I have a hard time saying that God’s Word is only the Bible, but clearly to be drawn into God’s presence the practice of consistently being rooted in the Bible is vital.
- Reading books. I know right? More reading? I sound like a grandpa. Reading allows you to enter into the big picture of life more easily. I prefer reading theology (the study of who God is) because I see it as so key for how we should live in light of who God is.
- Enjoy creativity and art. Creative art, whether it be movies, music, pictures, paintings, etc…takes us from the difficulties of life and can give us new aspirations and point us back to the true Creator.
In the end, the struggle for our true identity is something that never ends. We will be constantly fighting the battle to remain rooted in Him.
I’m thankful it isn’t a battle we’ll lose.
