1 Life Your Choice

"Who are you?" Have you ever been asked this question? Maybe you have even asked this question as you stared into the mirror.  In either circumstance, for most people, this is one question that brings fear, stammering, and a confusing life story / testimony / difference between what I do and who I am definition.  I have witnessed very few times where this question was met with a clear, concise, quick answer... even during those "mirror conversations".  I recently watch a video that touched on this topic from a business point of view; however, instead of asking the question "Who are you?", the speaker simply asked "Why do you do what you do?".  As I watched I definitely saw the need for a company to know why they do what they do, simply because it rallies people around an idea - it causes their heart to resonate with a resounding "That's exactly how I feel".  It instills passion, invokes emotion and gets to who we truly are as people.  Yet as I watched the video, my mind turned from business to myself.  Why do I do the things I do?  If I understood the reason "Why" I do things, would this help me understand and be able to clarify exactly who I am? And, if I were to truly be honest about why I do what I do, would I like the result of who it said I was? I am in the midst of wrestling with this question and it has brought a new light to my daily activities; "Why do I do the things I do?" has revealed some inconsistencies in who I say that I am.  This has bothered me to say the least. 

I have realized that, as a Christian, no experience should justify a change in my answer to who I am.  Dr. Martin Luther King (whom the video also speaks of) never defined himself by what he did, how he had been treated, or the attributes he had been born with. All of these things helped to guide him in some way but they never defined him.  He chose to define himself by who Christ said that he was; and because of this, the reason he did the things that he did, his "Why", never changed.  When I let someone's actions determine my kindness level to them; when I allow my feelings to dictate my obedience; when I let the past determine the future; I have gotten off track.

I am a child of the King, a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I do the things I do to bring honor and glory to His name. I love others so that others can know His love; "love the Lord your God with all your heart".  I worship Him in gratitude for who He is and all He has done; "love the Lord your God with all your soul". I live with integrity and keep my mind pure so that I do not tarnish the name of Christ; "love the Lord your God with all your mind". I workout and practice healthy habits to honor the temporary temple He has blessed me with; "love the Lord your God with all your strength".  Why do I do these things?  Because of who I am.  When these two become incongruent, either I have become someone else or I am practicing behaviors that do not represent my true self.

So, who are you?  Would your "why" confirm that answer or would it cause people to think "Maybe he needs to spend a little more time in front of the mirror."  My prayer is that you will experience the joy that comes when your "who" and "why" line up!

John 3:30,
Jonathan
To watch the video by Simon Sinek that got me thinking, just click below.  Believe me, it will be a well invested 18 minutes.