Don’t Do You
Identity: the fact of being; who or what a person or thing is.
One of the greatest journeys people take is in discovering their identity. We all want to know who we are, why we were created, and why we exist. It’s an innate desire fueled by the longing to carry significant purpose. It’s the need to leave a lasting impression of our existence in the world.
It’s woven into our being before we’re ever born by God Himself.
It seems that more and more people are searching for their identity. And, it also seems that fewer and fewer people are really finding it. They’re asking the questions, reading books, going through the studies, completing the personality quizzes, and finding their tribe.
They’re “following their dreams” and “finding adventure.” They’re taking the advice of popular culture—“Do You.”
The promise is subtle, but overpowering:
do you and…
-you’ll be happy
-you’ll be fulfilled
-you’ll find purpose
-you’ll know why you exists
-you’ll know who you really are
This humanistic philosophy is everywhere, even in the Church. I’ve frequently found myself getting caught up in the pursuit of individual purpose. I’ve spent seasons writing down visions and plans for my life, reading the books, taking the tests, and pursuing my personal dreams. I’ve been into the “Do You” lifestyle.
But, the startling reality is that any purpose I found on my own never manifested into God’s plan for my life. Even more startling is that as dreamy and fulfilling as these mantras sound, they’re not from God.
Jesus never said follow your dream. He said take up your cross and follow me.
He never said find adventure. He said if you find your life you’ll lose it, but if you lose it for my sake you’ll really find it.
In essence the whole Bible is saying don’t do you—don’t seek your own purpose, don’t follow your carnal desires, don’t be conformed to this world, don’t pursue earthly influence and notoriety…don’t do you.
As cheesy as it is—do Jesus.
One of the greatest revelations I’ve had is this: “When I know whose I am, I’ll know who I am.”
Discovering identity is necessary, but it has to start with discovering God. When we really find Him, we find His purpose for our lives.
When you do Jesus…
-you find purpose
-you find happiness
-you find fulfillment
-you find the reason for your existence
-you find out who you were really created to be
I love the tools and resources we have to find identity and purpose. However, they’re not the starting point, and they can’t be our primary diet in this journey.
God created us with the desire to live meaningful lives. Before we were born, He wrote stories about each of us. He wants us to know who He created us to be, living out these stories for His glory.
But, we have to start with Him. We have to follow Jesus, laying down our own dreams, becoming willing to follow Him no matter what it looks like or where it leads.
So, don’t do you…do Jesus.