A while ago, I had a client who was having a major identity crisis. She was working at a job that she had come to hate. She often said that she wanted to quit, but something held her back. It wasn’t a financial issue, as her family was more than supportive of her leaving. The real problem was that she couldn’t envision her life without the status and perks that her position provided. She hesitantly admitted to me that without her job title, she felt like nothing.
Do you know someone like my former client, who found her identity in a job? Maybe it’s a friend, a family member, or maybe it’s you. The truth is, many people find themselves in a similar situation, tying their worth and identity to their career, achievements, or societal status. But the truth of the matter is that what we do doesn’t define who we are.
The life of Abraham offers us a powerful example of where our true identity comes from. If Abraham had a résumé, it would include some extraordinary things: he trusted God and followed Him to a new land, was willing to sacrifice his only son, and became the father of a nation. But Abraham also made mistakes – he lied about his marriage twice and took matters into his own hands to have a son. Despite these mistakes, God didn’t define Abraham by his achievements or his failures. In Romans 4:3, Scripture tells us, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” God simply called Abraham His child.
This is a beautiful reminder that our identity in Christ isn’t contingent on what we do. God wants us to use the talents, skills, and gifts He has given us to do great things, but these achievements do not change the way He sees us. We belong to Him, regardless of our performance – whether we succeed or fail.
This truth is the total opposite of how the world measures worth. The world often defines us by our job titles, material possessions, or outward appearance. But as children of God, we are free from this shallow perspective.
The reality is our identity as children of the Most High God is the greatest blessing we can ever have. Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us, “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” We have been chosen, not because of anything we have done, but because of His love and grace.
When we think in terms of eternity, other titles and labels do not even compare. Don’t allow anyone to place any other label on you, and most importantly, don’t do that to yourself either. The world’s validation can be fleeting, but God’s love and acceptance are eternal. As Isaiah 43:1 reminds us, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
So, the next time you’re tempted to define yourself by your job, your successes, or even your failures, remember that your true identity is found in Christ. You are His beloved child, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Let this truth be the foundation on which you build your life, knowing that you are valuable not because of what you do or what the world calls you, but because of who you are in Him.
