The Christian Youth: You must get to know yourself

26 Apr, 2015 - 00:04 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Pastor Zinyemba

Identity is defined as the individual characteristics by which a thing or person is recognised or known.

Another definition is the distinct personality of an individual. In our mentorship sessions we usually ask people to describe themselves. The amazing thing is most people will write down what they like doing as opposed to who they are.

There’s a big difference.

Many youths suffer from an identity crisis whereby they have no idea who they are or where their life is going and end up being like a liquid that is taking the shape of the container that it is in.

When one is not sure about who they are they tend to be tossed to and fro by any wind that blows. You will realise that it is easier to be influenced into doing things that generally go against your better judgement.

Most people who suffer from an identity crisis are easily influenced by peer pressure; they generally have a lot of regrets in their lives and are very low on self-confidence.

There’s power in knowing who you are. In Luke15vs11-32 our Lord Jesus gives a parable about a young man who demanded his inheritance from his father and went and blew it all in a misguided lifestyle. Having fun with friends until all of his money was finished and he was left all alone. It’s easy to condemn this young man but most of us find ourselves in the same predicament. Whereby we make certain decisions that in our right mind we would not have done so. In other instances you just might not know any better.

We have people who are engaging in pre-marital sex, some choosing careers that they have no interest in. It even goes to the extent of entering into relationships with individuals that one has nothing at all in common with and ultimately some even go to the extent of marriage.

The story of the prodigal son doesn’t end with him being lost but there is an awakening when he remembers who he is. That becomes the moment of his deliverance, which becomes the defining moment for him.

Do you know who you are? What do you spend most of your time doing? Where does all of your money go? Why do you do the things that you do in the way that you do them? Who are your role models?

What are your values?

If you are going to be honest with yourself the questions I have just asked you are not that easy to answer.

To honestly answer them you have to take a long hard look at the decisions you’ve made so far in your life and the situations you’ve found yourself in and how you responded. We generally tend to try and mirror what is in our surroundings for instance parents, family members or celebrities.

Most times that works out if we are observing the right behaviours however it can be disaster if not done well.

I am trying to let you know that you are unique and are here by design. There is no one like you and there will never be anyone like you. One can borrow some good behaviours and habits from society but in essence you have to tap into who you are as a person.

Spend some time with yourself.

Take an objective look at yourself you might discover that you don’t like who you are or have become. Ultimately as the apostle Paul put it in 2 Corinthians 4vs7, “… we have this treasure in earthen vessels …” there is something that God placed in each one of us that is unique. No one is a copy of another, there could be similarities, but everyone is unique.

I would like to encourage you to go back to your maker and ask Him to reveal to you who you really are. Be confident in yourself. You are a master piece, uniquely designed and made by the Almighty for a particular purpose.

Believe in God and believe in yourself. And as each day passes you will discover the treasure God has placed inside of you.

Till next time. God bless.

 

The writer is a pastor with New Life Covenant Church. Email feedback at [email protected]

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