Have you noticed, in English, we have a title adjoining nearly every occupation?

Get this. I’m cooking, therefore, I am a cook. I’m reading, therefore, I am a reader. I’m swimming, therefore, I am a swimmer. I’m writing, therefore, I’m a writer.

Imagine trying to tell someone who you are by telling them what you do. “I’m a cook, reader, swimmer, writer.”

I can imagine this answer would be followed up with, “Right, so, who are you?”

No one can do all those things at the same time! If my identity was wrapped up in what I do, I could be a different “person” every hour!

Identity is so much more than what we do. It is wrapped up in the answers to these three questions: 1) Who am I? 2) Who are my people? and 3) What is it like to act like us?

As one who has believed in Jesus Christ and been saved, I am in Christ.
“If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new!” (2 Corinthians 5:17.)

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” (Ephesians 1:13a.)

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Because of Jesus’ redemptive power, we are born into a new identity. I am a child of God, a slave to righteousness, salt of the earth, co-heir with Christ and hidden in Him. (1 John 3:1, Romans 6:18, Matthew 5:13, Romans 8:17, Colossians 3:3.)

You who have also believed share this identity!

We are called Christians, the English term of a Greek word introduced in Acts 11:26b, which means, “Christ’s ones” or “Christ-followers.” All of God’s people are our people, brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible is full of instructions from God and encouragements from our people of what it is like to live as God’s people.

Our state of being in Christ is firm, no matter what our occupation is. Our jobs and hobbies do not define our identity in Jesus Christ.

What you do is not who you are.

Believing this simple truth changes a lot.

It changes your priorities. Some people order their life with God, work, then family. Other people order their life work, family, then God. Those in Christ prioritize God, family(&friends), then work.

It changes your focus. We often concentrate so much on one box that we forget to step back and look at the room full of boxes. We need a broader, Kingdom-minded view of what we are doing. Those in Christ view their work with regard to the Kingdom of God. How can we make what we do benefit the Kingdom?

It changes how much time you spend on it. We spend most of our time doing the thing that has most the value to us. As what you do is placed in its proper perspective, you will spend less time on average doing it. Instead, we’ll spend the majority of our time doing things with God and the people who have the most value to us (family & friends).

It changes how you talk about it. When you see that writing is simply something you do – just like laundry is something you do – you talk about it differently.

Statement focused on what: “If I don’t get to write every day, my whole week is ruined!”

Statement focused on who: “I am so grateful for the time I got to write this week.”

Statement focused on what: “I’d rather not deal with people today, I just want to write.”

Statement focused on who: “My family is more important than writing. Even though I want to write, I am going to play with my sisters first.”

It changes how you view your worth. Because your worth is not found in what you do. The person who works as a firefighter has no more worth than the person who works on the sewage pipes. They have equal worth in God’s eyes. We are all created in God’s image, bearers of His glory, and precious enough to Him that, while we were still sinning, Christ died for us to offer forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you wrote today or not. Your worth hasn’t changed a bit.

It also changes who we see as our people. As Christians who write, it is most natural to connect with other Christians who write. Let’s not make that the primary reason we identify with one another.

My people are a very diverse group with many skill sets. One Person bonds us together: Jesus Christ, the living Prince of Peace! They make my writing stronger. Not because they write (in fact, many of them don’t), rather it is because we share a common identity. They remind me that, no matter what we do – sing, tell stories, preach, garden, farm, paint, fly drones, read, play – we are God’s people. It is my hope that I strengthen them as they strengthen me.

All of that comes from simply believing the truth: what you do is not who you are!

Let’s be Practical

Because what you do is not who you are, I will not be using words like “writers, readers, authors,” except at an absolute minimum. Instead, you will see me put in “Christians who write, those who read, or So-and-so, who penned this book.”

It’s a practical way to keep before us the reality that, as Christians, our identity is rooted in a Person; Jesus Christ.

Here are a few more practical things you can do to keep the truth of your identity before you!

1) Memorize Scripture that is related to who you are in Christ. Or, if you find it difficult to memorize, post some sticky notes somewhere you often look, like on a mirror. Make a background image for your computer, phone, or other device that has Scripture on it. The point is, keep it ever before you as a reminder and encouragement of who you are in Christ.

2) Purpose to write, speak, and think correctly. I often catch myself thinking backwards and have to correct it with, “No, I am a Christian, daughter, sister, friend, then writer.” It takes some effort and purposed intention, but it’s totally worth it.

3) Let your people help keep you accountable. I once told someone that I was writing “fiction adventure novels for teens.” My brother immediately piped up, “You mean Christian fiction adventure novels. You left out the most important part!” He was right. His reminder pushed me to correct my thoughts and my words. I encourage you to ask one person (or more) from among your people to help keep you accountable. In return, help them.

What you do is not who you are. Believe that truth. Watch it change the way you think, feel, speak, write, and act. And be forever grateful that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the unrighteous to bring us to God that who we are might be rooted in Him (1 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 1:7-8, Romans 5:8).

Hallelu Yah!

Comment below a Scripture verse you love about our identity in Christ!