Let’s be real — if you’ve ever been in a situation where you’re meeting men for the first time, attending your first men’s breakfast, or joining the crew handling the parking on Sunday mornings, the question that seems to come up first is “So, what do you do?” Most guys identify themselves by what they do, what they own, or what they’ve accomplished.
When starting my first entrepreneurial venture, I attended my fair share of networking events. I became so tired of answering that unescapable question that I began saying, “I run guns across the Mexican border,” and then I walked away. It was enjoyable watching the confused looks develop on their faces.
The truth is our culture is obsessed with measuring success by one’s accumulation of money, possessions, or power. The world tells us to measure ourselves by what we accomplish, what we possess, and who we are. If we gave that question a little more thought, we’d understand there’s more to life than what the world has to offer. We’re children of the Most High God. Creator of this universe.
That’s where faith comes in; when you follow Jesus, your identity shifts. You’re not just a worker, a dad, or a friend. You’re a child of God — loved, chosen, and called for a purpose that goes beyond anything you do or own.
Scripture
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
— 1 John 3:1
Being a man in Christ means your identity isn’t up for grabs. It’s not based on your last success or failure. It’s not about how much you earn or how much influence you have on social media. Your worth is settled — you are loved, accepted, and called by God.
Think about the guys in the Bible. Peter was a fisherman who messed up big time, but Jesus called him a rock. David was a shepherd who became a king, and then a murderer, but God called him “a man after my own heart.” Paul persecuted jews but became a follower of Jesus. These guys were not perfect, far from it. But God chose them to accomplish His work.
Today’s Challenge: Reclaim Who You Are
Spend a few minutes thinking about three things you love about yourself. Forget about your career and your achievements. Think personally. Perhaps being faithful is really important. Or serving when asked. How about always being there when a friend needs help? Those qualities instilled by God.
So, the next time you’re asked, “Who are you?”, answer:
- “I’m a sinner saved by grace.”
- “I’m a man who’s learning to trust God every day.”
- “I’m someone who believes in second chances — for myself and others.”
Your response may surprise the person asking the question. Your answer may also shift the person’s thinking to reevaluate their identity.
Closing Thought
The world tells us we’re a collection of our wins and losses — God sees us as one of His children. The world measures success by promotions, power, and material wealth, but God looks at an individual’s heart.
“Has your identity changed since following Jesus?”
