God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them. . . .

— Genesis 1:27

Throughout history, human beings have grappled with three fundamental questions: Who am I? Where do I fit in? What am I supposed to do? These questions have gnawed at us since ancient times. They have shaped our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. At the core of these lies the question of identity as we try to figure out who we really are.

Our world today often tells us we have the power to mold our identity and shape our destiny as we see fit. It claims that we are in control and we can decide who we want to be. But that notion is flawed. We haven’t created ourselves, so we do not have the authority to make those claims. According to God, our identity is intricately linked to him as our Creator. We are created in his image, made to reflect his character and values in all we do.

This month, let’s explore the idea of personal identity. Identity is the thing that most clearly defines us. It is tied to our worth, value, and significance. Without a clear sense of identity, we drift aimlessly through life. We become restless, rootless, and fruitless.

When we know who we are, however, we have a firm foundation. We gain the stability we need in order to navigate changes and challenges in life and to become who we are created to be.

Lord, thank you for not leaving us on our own. Thank you for revealing that our true identity is found in you. Help us to reflect your image in our living each day. Amen.