Slideshow image

Recently, I noticed a reoccurring theme of “Identity”. My observations started in June 2024 when I felt myself spiral into depression. God spoke to me and said, “Watch the movie Overcomer again by the Kendrick brothers.”

As I watched, one scene grabbed my attention. One of the main characters, Hannah Scott, had received Jesus into her heart. She was instructed to read Ephesians chapters one and two and write a list of all the “who I am” statements. Not long after this scene, the movie (available on YouTube) arrives at a pivotal point where Hannah walks into the drama room, walks up to her cross-country coach and says, “Ask me who I am” before quoting all the “I am's” she'd written.

I knew what I needed to do, so I grabbed a notebook and my bible and wrote my list of “who I am's” from Ephesians. Once I completed the list, I read them aloud to myself. Every single day. Soon the spiralling stopped and was replaced with joy and confidence.

Fast forward to November 2024 when I attended a musical and realised its underlying theme was identity! The main character had to let go of their past and the labels that once defined them, ultimately discovering who they truly were—a valued member of their community.

I would like to ask you, “What is your identity?”

If you were to write a list, would it consist of things like I'm a daughter/son, brother/sister, husband/wife, Dad/Mum? Perhaps answers to questions like What your job is? Would your list also include words like dumb, stupid, ugly, worthless, etc?

I declare it is time for a new list! A new identity. It’s not who we are, what we do, or what others’ opinions are of us. It's the way God sees us that's the most important identity to have.

According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are new creations and His workmanship, His work of art. Instead of listing our faults and weaknesses—things we are not—we need to make a new list. Take on a new identity. We need to speak and see ourselves the way God says we are, with humility.

Knowing your identity is a key life tool, and, like me, you may need to remind yourself regularly of who you are.

I close with this challenge: read the first two chapters of Ephesians and write or type out all the “I am’s”, then speak them out loud.