Who Are You? Discovering Your True Identity Through God's Eyes

Introduction
Have you ever stopped and really asked, "Who am I?" Most people never do. We take on roles and titles given to us by others—employee, parent, failure, survivor—but rarely pause to ask how God sees us. I’m Pastor Joe, and this week’s word is all about identity—not the version the world gives you, but the one God breathed into your soul.

From Labels to Truth
I grew up in a small Midwest farming community. It was a great place to learn values like hard work and humility, but it also came with limiting labels. For years, I believed I was only what others saw on the outside. Then I found myself in a hospital, facing a cancer diagnosis. My world got quiet. That’s where God showed me who I really was: not broken, but in progress.

You might feel stuck in shame or the shadow of past mistakes, but God isn’t looking at where you’ve been—He’s focused on where you're going. Let’s explore how biblical stories reveal what God sees when He looks at you.

1. From Broken to Progress
In Luke 15, the prodigal son wasted everything and came crawling back. But the father ran to him. That’s how God sees you—not as someone who failed, but as someone who’s returning. Your brokenness isn’t your identity. It’s the soil where God grows something new.

2. From Rejection to Redemption
Joseph was sold by his brothers and rejected over and over, yet he became second in command of Egypt. God didn’t just restore Joseph—He used the rejection as part of the redemption. So if you’ve been left out, overlooked, or pushed aside, remember: God sees the bigger story.

3. From Limitations to Purpose
Moses had a speech problem. Jeremiah felt too young. Paul had a past. But God called them anyway. Why? Because your limitations point to your purpose. The very thing you think disqualifies you is what God can use to shape your calling.

4. From Wrongs to New Beginnings
The woman at the well had five husbands and was shunned by her town. Jesus met her, saw her truth, and still offered her living water. Your wrongs do not define your future. God’s grace resets your story.

Faith Assignment
Take time this week to write down who you think you are—and then ask God who He says you are. Use these four themes to reflect:

• Where am I seeing progress from brokenness?

• How is God using my rejection for redemption?

• What limitation might point to my purpose?

• What wrongs am I letting define me that God already forgave?

When you look back, you will be able to thank God. Then you can look forward and trust Him.

Want More?
Visit PastorJoe.com to subscribe, reach out through the contact form, and explore more weekly blog posts and podcast episodes. If this helped you, share it with a friend. You never know who’s wrestling with their identity in silence.