Identity: Who are you?

Many current movies make use of the idea of the undercover operative. The premise is often quite predictable; a good guy poses as a bad guy in order to bring the bad guy to justice. By changing the identity of the good guy, he/she is able to infiltrate the enemy ranks and make things right. The greatest danger in this scenario comes from ensuring that the undercover individual understands their true identity and purpose. If they lose their identity, their purpose is unachievable.

The notion of identity is important to consider in our day and age. It can be very confusing for a teenager to know who they are and decide who they will become. Popular culture, media, family, friends, teachers, and pastors all seem to be trying to direct their identity and direction. Youth often try to be the person others tell them to be, while keeping their true identity either hidden or lost. But whose voice should they follow during this life-shaping process?

While the world would want us to conform, God suggests that we allow Him to transform us. He wants to help us recognize and live out who He created us to be – not simply what He wants us to do. Understanding your true identity is essential to living an effective Christian life.

Youth are at a very confusing age in life. The road to discovering their true identity can be difficult to watch. The temptation for those who care for youth is to simply tell them what to do. But our role as parents, educators, and pastors is to help them discover their identity from God. Only through God can youth be transformed and released to be themselves. If they understand that their identity is secure in God, then nothing will be able to shake them.

Can you imagine what a generation of youth who understand who they are in God could accomplish? They wouldn’t have to worry about being conformed to the world, and could instead focus their energy on living the full life Christ promised. With God’s help they could transform themselves, and the world around them! Such dynamic living starts by allowing God to help you find the real you.