Who Are You - in LIFE?
Over the last few weeks, Monday Meditations has been covering the topic of our identity as Corpath members, and exploring who we are as we pursue excellence in business, life and spirit as we bring glory to God.
John 1:35-44 and Matthew 16:13-19
If you and I were sitting and having a deep discussion over coffee, which “hat” would you be wearing? In other words, what version of YOU would I see? It would likely depend on the discussion topic. If we were talking about family, I might see the mother or father. If we were talking about business, I might see the manager, leader, or entrepreneur. Also, the version of YOU that I see during the discussion would be determined by which version of yourself you wish to display at that moment. Let me explain this further…
When I was born, I immediately began to take on “roles”. I became a son, grandson, nephew, and cousin to my family. I didn’t choose those roles; they simply were given to me as I entered this world and had a connection to others. As I grew and developed my relationships with those around me my roles also adapted. I became a schoolmate and student. I became a friend to some and even an enemy to others. I became a teammate to those I played sports with. I became a musician in the band, a worker at the grocery store, and so on. All these roles played a part in my development that helped me develop into an adult.
Q: Pause right now and answer this question: How many roles do you currently play? Can you name them?
When I think about how many hats (roles) I play regularly, I am a bit overwhelmed. There are so many! How did I obtain these roles? What is my responsibility as I play these roles? Some of the roles are easy, and some are hard. And for some of these roles, I might even question if I can fulfil my responsibility to the people connected to me. Imposter syndrome feels so real sometimes.
I remember starting my business to be an executive leadership coach. I had just finished a very long career leading media teams across Canada. I had a lot of experience at the executive level in the media industry, but I questioned if others would see me as someone who could help them grow and develop in their role in an industry in which I had no experience. Why would they hire me? I had a lack of confidence and didn’t wear that hat very well in the beginning. It felt awkward at first. As time progressed, and as I embraced the initial discomfort of my newly assumed role, I began to assume the role with a higher level of confidence and competence. Clients did (and still do) see me as an executive-level coach, and I began to see myself in that role as well. The inner voice that was accusing me of being an imposter has been limited to just a whisper… however, it’s still there sometimes.
Q: Are there any roles you currently play in which you feel like an imposter? Why is that? Try to describe it here.
Regardless of how we see ourselves, God chooses to see us differently. We tend to see ourselves based on our past, our bad choices, mistakes, and failures. God chooses to meet us where we are today and then sees us based on our future as it relates to Him and His will. As he does this, He gives us a new identity.
Consider the transformation of Simon to Cephas (Peter). In John 1:35-44, Simon meets Jesus for the first time. In this very first connection, Jesus gives Simon the new name, Cephas (Peter), which means “a rock”. What a great experience. Jesus saw Peter much differently than Peter saw himself. Jesus saw Peter based on his future and not his past. He saw Simon as a rock and later proclaimed that he would be the rock on which the church would be built.
Read about it here:
Matthew 16:13-19 (NLT)
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock, I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
Jesus gave Peter a new identity based on future visibility.
I wonder what we can learn from this story. Here are some thoughts:
Our view of ourselves is based on our past, while God’s view of us is based on our future.
We see ourselves as finite, however, God’s view of us has infinite possibilities.
Where we see limitations, God chooses to change our persona (name) and give us a new perspective and responsibility that has no limits.
Is there a new role that God is asking you to accept? What will your response be? If He is giving you a “new hat” to wear, then He already sees you fulfilling that role. Go with confidence as you build your competence!
Prayer:
God, I thank You for meeting with me today. I confess that I see myself as having limitations and often feel like an imposter in some of the roles I have. I thank You for choosing to see me based on my future and not based on my past mistakes and failures. I ask that You give me the courage to accept any role You choose to give me and give me the clarity to see myself in connection to Your will. Thank You for Your love of me. Amen.
Blessings always and all-ways,
Steve Shrout
President
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this email is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development and SPIRITUAL growth.
