Articles
Who Am I?
Today, so many of us seem to struggle with low self-esteem and insecurity. Mentally we think, or even verbally say, things like, “I’m a failure” or “nothing ever seems to go my way.” We judge ourselves with criticisms of being overweight, or scrawny, or ugly, and the list goes on. I suppose it’s been this way for a long time. But social media is a huge contributor. The root cause of these feelings of inadequacy is insecurity fueling us to compare ourselves to others. We often measure ourselves according to what we see in others. We use what they allow us to see – their best – as a measuring stick of our own value. It’s no wonder we often feel empty and unhappy. Our value does not lie in comparison to others.
A big relief for us is when we learn to see ourselves the way God sees us. Once we place our value through God’s eyes, our perspective changes, our outlook changes, our life changes! To get us started in this transformation, consider three things:
I am CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD! Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’.” Let that sink in for a minute…The Creator of the universe, the One who holds the universe in the palm of His hand, created US in HIS image! He gave us a mind to reason and understand, a mind to think and to choose, and a conscience to know right and wrong. He gave us (human beings) individual identity. He created us in His likeness, unique from all other creation. David said in Ps.139:14, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Man is the crowning glory of creation, the one in whom God has chosen to have a relationship with! And unlike anything else on earth, we have a soul that will live forever. That means He chose us to live with Him forever if we so choose. Now that’s amazing!
I am VALUABLE! We have sinned so terribly. And we have done it over-and-over again. We have hurt God so badly! Yet, He still loves us and places a high value on us. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Imagine something so valuable that you would give up anything to save it. That’s what God has done for us in sacrificing His son. He loves us so deeply and continues to extend His mercy to us, because He loves us. And He desires a relationship with us! We place the highest value on the things we love the most. So does God. The value He placed on us was His Son’s life. Wow! He loves us!
I am PURPOSEFUL to God! Since we have been “created in the image of God,” we have purpose. He calls us to reflect His image in our life to the world. Our purpose is to glorify Him in every area of our life. Our spiritual life isn’t separated from the “life we live” in the world. Whether we are at work, school, home, or play, we need to show the world we are His children. Being a true child of God is purposeful and satisfying. God gives us this purpose, meaning, and direction. He considers us useful in His kingdom. The thought that we are children of the King and useful to Him should overwhelm us!
So, in humility, let’s hold our heads high, remembering we were created in the image of the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God. Remember we are so valuable to God that He gave His son, the most precious thing He could possibly give, in order to have an eternal relationship with us. And we are purposeful to Him. He uses us to reflect His image to others and bring glory to Him! So rather than comparing ourselves to others and feeling despair, let’s serve our purpose to God!
- who-am-i.pdf (78.46 kB)
