Identity

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Identity’ as in… who are you, really?

The first gathering of the new cohort of “Thrivers” began with introductions. “Tell us who you are; help us get to know you.” The wording was intentional.

Full disclosure: I had an agenda.

Taking turns, we all shared our names and what we thought would be helpful to the others. It was the first glimpse into how we’re hard-wired to describe ourselves.

“I’m a teacher.” “I’m a fitness trainer.” “I’m an artist.” “I’m a musician.” “I’m a coach.” “I’m a writer.” “I’m a marketer.” “I’m a reporter.” “I’m a storyteller.” “I’m a mom.” “I’m a pastor.” “I’m a software specialist.” “I do this, that, and the other stuff too.”

I realized that these are things that we do.

So, what if we responded to questions like “Who are you?“ by describing the essence of our identity?

By describing myself as an artist, I may want to wrestle with deeper questions like what or who was the spark of my art? How did I wind up becoming an artist? Is it because I’m deeply relational, and a friend inspired me to follow that impulse? Or is it because I believe the Creator has created me to create, and someone had the wisdom, insight, and ability to reveal that to me? What is it that creates the impulse for me to be an artist?

In the same way, what drives someone to become a coach or a mom? Is it the teaching or relational impulse? What moves someone to love going to work as a marketer, software developer, fitness trainer, blogger, pastor, or teacher? What is the impulse, and where does that impulse come from? If we follow our identity all the back to the source, what is the essential rhythm that makes us thrive?

Four Thriving Questions:

++ How do you usually introduce yourself?

++ What would be missing if you introduced yourself by describing what you do?

++ What is the difference between what you do and who you are?

++ How would one of your best friends describe you?

#100days50words

#Thriv’ëra

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or his blog, Thriving Rhythms.