Who am I?

It is a question with which the world seems obsessed. It tells us, “Be who you are” “Be your authentic self,” or “You do you.” This begs the question, “Who am I?” How do I be the “best version of myself” if I don’t even know who I truly am?

The current rise in identity dysphoria is alarming, yet not surprising. The pressure to “discover your true self” leads to a never-ending quest to finally find ones’ self. “Who am I really?” is a question that focuses us inward, makes us question the very basics of who we are, and removes all certainty, leading us feeling inadequate for the seemingly simple task of finding out who we are.

“Who am I” is a question asked frequently in the Bible, but with a completely opposite focus. 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 is a good example of this. David has just been told by God that although he would not be allowed to build the temple, his kingdom would be blessed with a ruler from his house for ever.

In the context of kings and kingdoms, this is an astonishing promise, and a natural human response would have been pride, or a feeling that he somehow deserved such a promise.

But look at what he says to God:

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that Thou hast brought me hitherto? And yet this was a small thing in Thine eyes, O God; for Thou hast also spoken of Thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God.”

Did you notice his first question? The words are the same, but the heart is completely different. Instead of the world’s question, which is designed to push people to a ceaseless quest of discovery, David’s question turns the focus from himself to God. It puts self in the context of God Himself, and the result is not pride, but humility.

The world wants us to know “who we are,” but only in the ways that match up with its agenda or philosophy. It wants us to be proud of our potential, accomplishments, achievements, and even personality. It is man-centered. But God’s desire is for us to see ourselves as we truly are in the grand scheme of creation and in the endless sweep of eternity.

As the psalmist says,

“When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that Thou visitest Him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under His feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:3-9)

Here again we see the “who am I” question, this time asked more generally. “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him?” As you read through these verses, did you notice the focus of the psalmist? He is writing about mankind’s position (little lower than the angels, having dominion over the earth) but with his eyes on God.

We have been placed in charge of the earth (Genesis 1:28) but that authority came from God, whose creation He graciously allows us to rule over. We likewise are the works of God’s hands, yet He allows us to have a place of prominence and authority. Even more amazing, we have done—can do—nothing to merit such honor.

There is a push towards self-focus in modern society which has filtered down into Christianity. The emphasis on worthiness answers the “who am I” question by shouting, “I am worthy.” But a Biblical humility answers with a quiet joy, “I am nothing, but God is everything, and He loves me.”

Because of our sin, we are not worthy of love or forgiveness or anything other than eternal death in hell. (Romans 3:23) But God loves us anyway, and in His love and mercy made a way for us to be forgiven. Romans 5:8 tells us,

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

We were not worthy, we did not merit the sacrifice of Christ, and yet He did give His own blood—His very life—to pay for our sins. A Biblical view of self does not try to prop itself up with empty assurances of worthiness, but overflows in praise and gratitude to the God who loves us regardless of whether or not we are worthy of His love.

So what about you, dear reader? Are you looking at yourself, asking the world’s version of “Who am I? Or are you asking in humble gratitude, “Who am I, that God is so good to me?”

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20