Who are you?
Marvel I feel like is not really in pop culture right now but it’s worth mentioning here. I think of all those first movies where the superhero says their name. I am Iron Man. I’m captain America. I’m spider man. I am Groot. It became that moment where they recognized their identity. They knew who they were.
Here we are in a new year. Something I feel like God is placing on my heart is to be more aware of who I am and what God has called me to do. For me that would be I am Pastor Ken, the grant writing barista. Stepping into that can be hard but I feel like God is calling me to be more confident in that calling.
Who are you today? Who do you want to be in 2024? We always take time in January to ask ourselves who are we and who do we want to be. So let’s look at someone who knew who he was in scripture.
”This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” 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!’” Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?” John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.” This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.“
John 1:19-28 NLT
John the Baptist, in this encounter with religious leaders, showed that he knew his identity.
He knew who he was NOT.
John was certain and confident that he was not Elijah, the Messiah, or the prophet. “That’s not me” is a powerful statement. He could have said oh yeah I’m that guy but he wasn’t gonna let public opinion control his destiny. People will try to tell you who you are not. It’s inevitable. How will you answer? Will you give in an give an impressive answer or an answer that will leave an impression?
Remember that you are NOT
A slave to sin
Doing for God just to impress Him (think of the Mary and Martha story in Luke 10:38-42)
Forsaking God for other things
Remember who you are not so you know who you are.
2. John knew who he was.
He immediately cited Isaiah to show who he was. When we are not sure who we are, we need to do the same and look to the Bible to see who we are. For example:
You are meant to be with God, not just do work for God (Matthew 7:21-23). Don’t think that God just wants our works. He wants us.
We are meant to mirror God’s love in our relationships (Ephesians 5:25). Men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church.
You have a purpose (Eph 2:10). God has a purpose and call on your life.
f we are gonna change this street and community, we need to know not only what God has called us to but also what God has not called us to. We need to be willing to say yes or no to things that come our way. I go back to Pastor Ken the grant writing barista. Does that mean I’ll be working in banking? Not right now. Construction? Don’t think so. But I know what God has called me to do.
Take a moment to discover something from the Lord. Either an open door or closed door. Wait on the Lord and ask what am I or what am I not.
-PK