Lately we have been having conversations with individuals and groups and repeatedly the focus has been on strengthening identity. When you don't know who you are, you will live someone else's life or expectation of you. You will feel frustrated or like you are never hitting the mark - never enough. Alternatively we make up a false identity or narrative to hide behind. This results in the same cycle of excessive performance or even futility and depression.
However, when you discover who you were born to be - your true ...
Lately we have been having conversations with individuals and groups and repeatedly the focus has been on strengthening identity. When you don't know who you are, you will live someone else's life or expectation of you. You will feel frustrated or like you are never hitting the mark - never enough. Alternatively we make up a false identity or narrative to hide behind. This results in the same cycle of excessive performance or even futility and depression.
However, when you discover who you were born to be - your true design, and begin to move authentically towards that, you will find more and more fruitfulness and fulfilment (although not without challenge and adversity as others try to pull you into their version of you).
So how do you discover who you were designed to be?
And how do you stay true to that in the midst of pressure to conform to so much less.
Here's some practical steps developed through my life and walk with God.
To be clear - you will never find complete fulfillment without a growing connection with Jesus Christ who is the author and perfector of life. Secondly, you will never find complete fulfillment this side of Jesus returning with the fullness of His Kingdom. That's why there is always a desire for more. Get used to it and keep walking! The challenge and connection with Christ on the journey is the key to success - becoming friends of God.
Now to who are you and how to stay true to that.
For the purposes of this article I will focus on two sources - the Word of God = who scripture says you are, and prophecy = the Holy Spirit inspired, spoken revelation of who you are (spoken by trusted and mature people who are operating in the gift of prophecy eg. Dan McCollams ministry)
1. Who does Scripture say you are?
What is written in the scriptures of you?
Then I said, "Look I have come, as is written about me in the scriptures." Psalm 40:7 NLT (emphasis mine)
This is David writing of himself and also referred to as Messianic prophecy, pointing to Christ.
Another great example is Cyrus, King of Persia who read about himself in Isaiah 45, mentioned by name (150 years before he was born)! He then proceeded to do what was written of him (for more, search Cyrus and biblical prophecy).
Then we have John the Baptist in John 1:19-27. He was approached by the religious leaders asking, "Who are you?" John responds, "I am not the Messiah... I am not the prophet (Elijah)." When they keep pressing him, he finally replies:
"John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:
“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’
In other words.... AS IT IS WRITTEN ABOUT ME IN THE SCRIPTURES.
So... what do the scriptures say of you? How do you find out.
1. Read the scriptures while asking the Holy Spirit to guide you
2. What is your 'life' verse that defines who you are and/or what you will do?
For me, we had a season of prayer and fasting at Church in New Zealand, asking the Lord to reveal purpose. At the end of that time I was directed (inspired thought) to read Titus 1:5 (NKJV) which reads,
"For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you..."
I was actually disappointed because this summarized what I was ALREADY doing as a business consultant, as a church leader, as a bank manager, as a community development practitioner in Uganda...
I find what is missing and set it in order. Then I find and encourage (anoint/appoint) people to lead wherever they are placed by God.
I AM A SKILLED BUILDER OF THE LIVES OF PEOPLE (that's actually my name - Andrew Jonathan Mason)
I AM SENT TO SET IN ORDER WHAT IS LACKING AND APPOINT LEADERS (EKLESIA) IN EVERY CITY.
2. What does prophecy say of who you are
I have been fortunate to be in communities that value hearing and sharing the voice of God. The beauty of this kind of community is you get to hear things repeated and are able to process what you are hearing with mature and wise people who can help you get clarity. I have written down what has been said and repeatedly go back over those words for direction, confirmation, courage and comfort.
On hearing Dan McCollam talk on the subject of his book - The Good Fight, I took the prophetic word(s) and turned them into a declaration of who I am.
One in particular was from Kris Vallotton as I was being commissioned as a minister. When I first turned it into a declaration, I felt awkward and embarrassed - "who do I think I am???" Then I was convicted, that this is not what I say I am... this is what GOD SAYS I AM.
I AM A PASTOR OF POWERFUL PEOPLE. I LOVE THEM FEARLESSLY AND THEY ARE ATTRACTED TO ME. I AM A BRIDGE OF CONNECTION ACROSS RACIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DIVIDES.
As I have listened less to what people say and more to what God says... agreeing with that by declaring this over my life, I have seen a RAPID ACCELERATION of actually seeing this fulfilled.
So, I encourage you to do the same!
If this has been helpful and you want to continue to grow in identity, grow in business and grow in influence with a like-minded community, join us HeaveninBusiness.com/free-trial.
