Reporting for Duty - Part 1

Identity - We all have one. And out of 6.76 billion people on earth, no two are exactly alike. Out of the 50 million+ babies in the US that have been killed before exiting the womb, they all had their own. Out of the 11 million children who have died from starvation, dehydration, and other preventable diseases, they all had their own.

We are all part of the puzzle that makes up God's character - all our good parts. The evil parts all come from the fall, and make up the opposite of God's character.

It is so easy to misunderstand the identity God gave us - how do we know who we really are, not who we think we are, or who I wish I was, or who I want myself to be, but who did God put me on Earth to be?

I think these few steps can be helpful. They are not complete, by any means. What are your ideas and thoughts?

Grab your journal or a pen and paper and take this short journey with me...

• Find the meaning of your name - God often gives people their names for a reason, and does the same today. behindthename.com, babynamesworld, thinkbabynames.com, zelo.com, are a few to get you started. Each may give slightly different meaning, so check them all out.
• Identify your spiritual gifts - God will give you your strengths for a reason.
• Identify your favorite historical characters (from the Bible and other history), stories, movies, books, etc. And more importantly, identify why you like these. This will give you insight into who you are deep down.
• Identify your favorite scriptures - what sticks out, what really means something to you
• Write down what you want people to put on your tombstone - what do you want to be known for.

Some verses for thought: Eph 4:10, Titus 2:14, Daniel 11:32, the entire book of Ephesians.

As you go through this, remember, some people around you just need someone to believe that God can live in them and transform their lives - be that person for them! Phil 2:13, Heb 13:21

Oh, and one other thought: Often, God will reveal the answers to these questions about your purpose through crisis.

Further reading: No Great Leader initially set out to be a leader