The world teaches that we can be “self-made.” If we can visualize ourselves attaining a certain status, goal, or achievement in life, then we have to figure out how to do it ourselves. This mindset focuses inwards on what we have to offer.
But God doesn’t want us to be “self-made,” where our identity is rooted in our personal strengths, skills, or abilities. He made us in His image, and He wants us to be who He declares us to be.
So if we, being made in God’s image, want to know who we are, we have to first understand who God is.
Someone who needed to learn this in the Bible was Moses.
Born an Israelite but raised as an Egyptian, Moses lived caught between two worlds that couldn’t have been more different. And If that didn’t make him feel enough like a sojourner, Moses was forced to flee for safety after murdering an Egyptian who was abusing an Israelite. He eventually settled down in Midian, assuming the quiet life of a shepherd, taking care of his father-in-law's flocks of sheep.
But God had far greater plans in store for Moses. He was going to use him to free Israel from slavery in Egypt. As you might imagine, Moses didn’t feel equipped for such a task. So what did God do? He told Moses who He was: YHWH, or “I AM WHO I AM.” A more accurate translation might be, “I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE.”
In short, God was assuring Moses that no matter what Moses might face, He would be who He is—all-powerful, all-sufficient, and capable of overcoming even the most impossible circumstances.
Do you ever have days where you feel unequipped or unqualified for the life Jesus calls you to? Have you ever found yourself wondering what God is doing, or how He wants to use you for His glory?
The good news is we don’t have to know everything before obeying. Moses didn’t have to muster up his own strength before taking a step in obedience to God—and we don’t either. We don’t have to be perfect to play an important part in God’s plan. We only have to keep our eyes open to see where His light shines, move toward Him, and grow in our trust of Him.
So don’t wait until you feel like you have it all together before asking God what He wants to do in and through you. God’s plans may not always make sense to us, but as the Apostle Paul said, “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful” (1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT).
God will be who He will be. And He can transform you into the person He calls you to be. Not because you have it all figured out, but because all the promises of God are “Yes and amen.” As the old adage goes, “If He calls you to it, He’ll see you through it.”
