A monk was walking through the forest one day on a contemplative journey. He came to a certain clearing and he heard a voice that said, “Halt, who are you and where are you going?” The monk replied, “Who are you and who told you to ask me that?” Never mind the voice replied, “Why do you want to know?” Because I want you to come to our monastery and ask me that question every day until I discover who I am and where I am going.
There’s a wonderful old saying that goes: “If you don’t know who you are and where you’re going, nothing else really matters.”
So many people have their identity wrapped up in their success, their work, and their performance. They have never discovered who they are outside of what they do.
They seek to get their identity [value, worth] from what they do, how much they do, or how good they are at what they do.
When you don't know who you really are, you become a slave to your feelings, constantly reacting to them and becoming confused when they change. Turning to God - rather than your feelings - for your sense of identity will give you a solid foundation that remains the same no matter how changing circumstances affect your feelings. When you trust God, you'll experience lasting peace that will guard your heart and mind in any situation.
WORK – WORSHIP – WORTH
When you get your worth [identity] from your work, you end up worshipping what gives you worth. Therefore, if you get your identity [worth] from God you’ll invest your life in worshipping Him.
And as you worship Jesus, you will grow more and more like Him, freeing you to discover the wonderful person God made you become.