Questions: Identity, Purpose, and the Future
The EQUIPPING mission of Ambassadors for Business starts with a call to engage more deeply in your relationship with God. Second, we consider the big questions life prompts us to answer. The questions we wrestle with in life often fall into one of three categories: identity, purpose, or future.
Questions of Identity
- Who am I?
- Where did I come from?
- Am I valuable?
Do you struggle with knowing your identity or being confident in who you are? As human beings, we often have a strong desire to understand our identity and who we are. Because of the sinful state of humans, it is easy to hold onto things that help attain or maintain a certain identity or image regardless of whether that identity is a true and good identity.
Where do you find your identity at home or at work?
The answer could be a multitude of things: possessions, a relationship, wealth, talent, knowledge, or your career.
When we strive to find answers to our identity questions in things of this world, we are looking in the wrong direction. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” We must submit our understanding of what our identity should be to God so He can direct us to our true identity in Him.
Questions of Purpose
- Why am I here?
- How can I make a difference?
- What should I do with my life?
If you are struggling to answers questions of purpose in your life you are in good company. Solomon, who God granted great wisdom to, struggled to understand the purpose and meaning of life also. In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon describes the process he took to find out why people toil and seek pleasure in this life.
Solomon gives this piece of wisdom to those seeking meaning in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.”
Questions of Future
- Where do I go from here?
- What will happen when I die?
- How can I leave a strong legacy?
Uncertainty can be a source of stress for many people. We are most comfortable when we feel we are on a secure path. Are you striving to figure out your future and what direction you should take?
Proverbs 3:6 gives us great insight regarding the future; “In all your ways acknowledge Him [the Lord] and He will make your paths straight.” A secure future comes from trusting in God and submitting to Him. We may not be able to see the future with our own eyes and know what will happen, but we can know that God is guiding us down straight paths.
Discover Answers
As you consider the big questions you have about your life – your identity, your purpose, and your future – meditate on Proverbs 3:5-6. God asks you to trust in Him and submit to Him, and He will guide you all the days of your life.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6