If someone walked up to you today and asked, “Tell me about yourself," how would you answer?
For most of us, the answer would come quickly. We mention our name, where we're from, what we do for a living, our hobbies, our family, and maybe a few things we enjoy doing when we have free time. It's almost second nature for most of us.
For years, that was exactly how I answered the question.
My name is Ron. I'm from Boston. I'm a father. I enjoy writing, working out, helping people, and most importantly, I'm a man of God.
Honestly, I never gave it much thought because that's how most people introduce themselves. We share the details that seem important and move on with the conversation.
Then one day I was watching an interview, and the person being interviewed was asked a question that caught me off guard.
The interviewer said, “If you were to introduce yourself without mentioning your occupation, your ethnicity, your nationality, where you grew up, your hobbies, your religion, or any of the markers people normally use, how would you describe yourself? Who are you?"
At first, I thought it was an interesting question. Then I realized I didn't have an answer. I just sat there, staring at the screen as if a response might suddenly appear out of thin air, but it didn’t.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had spent years telling people about my life without ever really considering how I would describe myself apart from the labels attached to it. I could tell you where I was born, what I enjoy doing, what roles I fill, and what responsibilities I have, but if all of those things were removed, who would be left standing?
That's a question many of us never really stop to ask.
Why am I sharing this with you? Because I believe there are a lot of people who know what they do but aren't entirely sure who they are.
We live in a world that loves labels. Some are positive, some are negative, and some we place on ourselves without even realizing it. We introduce ourselves through careers, accomplishments, relationships, interests, successes, failures, and sometimes even the mistakes we wish everyone would forget.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with any of those things. Many of them are blessings from God. The problem is that they can all change. Jobs change, titles disappear, dreams shift, and people's opinions of us come and go. When those things become the foundation of our identity, it's easy to feel lost when life takes an unexpected turn.
As I continued thinking about that interview, another question came to mind. Is my identity found in how the world sees me, or is it found in who God says I am?
The answer is obvious now, but at the time I seriously struggled with it.
Scripture reminds us in Psalm 139:14, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Those words reveal something deep about who we are. Before we ever held a title, earned an achievement, or built a reputation, God knew us, formed us, and created us with intention.
That's why our worth was never meant to be tied to what we accomplish. Titles and achievements may describe parts of our lives, but they were never meant to define us.
So who are you when those things aren't part of the conversation?
That's where Jesus brings us back to what matters most.
In Matthew 16, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?" After they shared the different opinions they had heard, Jesus asked a more personal question: “But who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Everything changed from that revelation.
The closer we grow to Jesus, the less dependent we become on labels to tell us who we are. We begin to understand that our identity isn't something we create; it's something we receive from the One who created us.
After all, Genesis tells us that we were made in the image of God. If that is true… and it is… then our identity should reflect our Father more than our accomplishments. There's nothing wrong with being a parent, a writer, a business owner, a teacher, or anything else God has called us to do. Those things are part of our journey, but they were never meant to replace our identity in Christ.
Maybe that's why James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom. Have you ever asked Him who you are? Not who other people think you are, or who social media says you should be. Not even who you've convinced yourself you are. Have you ever just asked God to show you how He sees you?
According to His Word, you are loved, chosen, redeemed, and created with purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand. Those truths don't change when circumstances do.
So let me ask you the same question that challenged me.
If you couldn't mention your job, your hometown, your hobbies, your accomplishments, your relationships, or any of the labels you've collected over the years, how would you introduce yourself?
It's worth thinking about.
Because when we finally discover who God says we are, we stop chasing identity in temporary places and start resting in the truth that has been there all along.
Pray with me.
Father God,
Help me find my identity in You and not in the labels I've collected throughout life. Teach me to see myself the way You see me and to walk confidently in the purpose You've given me.
