I was watching a movie one day when one of the actors asked a question that stuck with me: “When it’s all said and done, what do you want to be most remembered for?"
The other actor paused, rubbing his chin, eyes filled with curiosity. “You know, no one has ever asked me that question," he said. After a moment of thought, he laughed. “I really don’t know."
For a long time, I didn’t know either. But now? Now I can answer that with confidence. I want to be known for giving my best, for using the gifts God has given me to help as many people as possible. I want to be remembered as someone who wasn’t afraid to stand firm in faith—even if that meant standing alone.
One of my favorite quotes says, “Be bold. Be brave enough to be your true self."
Authenticity takes courage. It means standing strong in your convictions, even when the world pushes back. Being bold is stepping out in faith when the path is uncertain. Being brave is trusting God when He calls you beyond your comfort zone. Being true to yourself isn’t about following your heart—it’s about aligning your life with the purpose God designed for you.
Before God called me out of the darkness, I had no direction, no purpose, and no identity. I was lost—searching for answers to questions I didn’t even know how to ask. I was just going through life, unsure of who I was or where I was headed.
Then, one day at Ashmont Station in Boston, a man I had run into before approached me. Each time, he would invite me to church, and each time, my answer was the same: “Don’t be surprised if you see me there one day." But I never showed up.
This time was different. He didn’t just invite me—he challenged me.
“When are you going to take your relationship with God seriously?" he asked. I just looked at him and smiled. Then he asked if I’d be interested in studying the Bible with him and some of the guys from his church. Again, I hesitated.
“I don’t even have a Bible," I finally admitted.
What he did next changed my life forever. He unzipped his backpack, pulled out a small, used Bible, and handed it to me.
“Now you do," he said.
It was as if, in that moment, my entire life shifted. I knew God was calling me. I could feel it. That was the day everything changed. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." That day, I wasn’t even seeking Him—but He found me anyway.
Jesus lived with boldness, bravery, and authenticity. He knew His journey would not be easy, yet He trusted the Father completely. He spent time with Him, leaned on Him, and drew strength from Him.
In Matthew 16, after His followers returned to Him, Jesus asked two questions:
“Who do the people say I am?"
They responded with various answers. But it was His second question that truly mattered:
“Who do you say I am?"
Only Peter answered correctly, declaring, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
That moment was powerful. Peter recognized Jesus for who He truly was.
Now, let me ask you: Who do people say you are? Your family, your friends, your coworkers—what do they see in you? Do they see someone who reflects Jesus, or someone who blends into the world?
More importantly, who does Jesus say you are?
This is where self-discovery meets faith. It’s not just about understanding yourself—it’s about understanding yourself through God’s eyes. We all struggle with identity at some point. The world tries to define us by achievements, status, appearance, or past mistakes. But those things don’t define you—God does.
When Jesus said, “I am the true vine" (John 15:1), He was giving us a clear message: apart from Him, we can do nothing. He is our source of strength, wisdom, and purpose. Imagine a vine. The branches don’t bear fruit on their own—they only thrive when connected to the vine. That’s us and Jesus.
If we asked God, “Who do You say I am?" we would want Him to say: “You are My child. You are chosen, set apart, created for a purpose. You are strong in Me. You are called to bring light into the darkness, to love without condition, to stand boldly in truth. You are Mine."
That’s the identity we should be striving for—not one shaped by this world, but one shaped by God’s truth. Faith isn’t about having all the answers—none of us have arrived. But God isn’t asking for perfection; He’s asking for surrender.
When we trust Him completely, we step into the identity He has given us. We stop chasing approval from the world because His approval is all we need. Stop waiting for life to change on its own—it won’t. Prayer without action is like planting without watering. If you’re believing for something, step into it and move in faith.
The seed God planted in you wasn’t meant to stay buried. It’s been nurtured and is ready to break through. Don’t let fear or the opinions of others stop you from stepping into your calling. What God placed in you is meant to grow and bear fruit.
The gifts He’s given you are waiting to be unlocked—but they won’t open themselves. It’s time. Trust Him, step forward, and watch what He does.
Pray with me.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for creating me with purpose. Help me to see myself through Your eyes, not the world’s. Strengthen me to be bold in faith, brave in obedience, and true to who You’ve called me to be. I surrender my doubts, my fears, and my need for approval. I want to live fully for You, walking in confidence, knowing that I am Yours.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If this message spoke to you, share it with someone who needs this reminder today.
