The Calling: How to Discover Your God-Given PurposeSample

Your Identity

Today, we’re beginning with the most foundational element of our calling: our identity. Why? Because finding your calling starts with knowing who God is and trusting who He says you are.

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Ephesians 4:1 NLT

More than anything else, our identity is defined by our relationships: our relationships with our parents (are you the perfect kid or the rebel?), our relationships with our friends (do you have great friendships or not so much?), our relationships with the people we look up to (artists, athletes, politicians, pastors, etc.), and our romantic relationships (are you dating? single? is it complicated?). Our view of ourselves is more shaped by our relationships with others than anything else. And while this can—and often does—lead to dysfunction, it’s important to understand that this is not a defect. It’s by design.

God designed us to find our identity in our relationship with Him. The fullness of who you are can only be found in the fullness of who He is. So, who is God?

God is the Trinity: three persons (Father, Son, and Spirit), united in one being.

God is a good and loving Father who wants a relationship with His kids. God is Jesus, the Son, our loving Savior who sacrificed Himself for the sins of the world. God is the Holy Spirit, who fills us with new life and power when we become Christians.

Here’s why this matters: Your true identity is found in the Trinity. So, for the remainder of today’s reading, we’re going to look at who God is as the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, and who we are in relation to Him so that we can grasp our God-given identity. So, who is God?

1. God is the Father and we are His children.

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5 NLT

When you put your faith in Jesus, you are adopted into the family of God. He becomes your Father and you become His child. Being a child isn’t something you earn or have to work for. It’s something you are born into. God chose you to be His kid because He wanted to. And calling you His son or daughter brings Him so much joy.

If you’re a follower of Jesus, you have been adopted into God’s family. You’re His kid and He is your Dad. His love for you is unconditional. That means He loves you no matter what, with no strings attached.

2. God is the Son and we are His followers.

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2 NLT

God loves you so much that He became a human being and sacrificed Himself to save you from your sins. Now, we are to live a life filled with love, following the example of Jesus. And just to be clear, following Jesus is not the same thing as following your favorite TikToker, Twitch streamer, or Instagram influencer. Following Jesus is an all-of-life way of life that redefines everything about you.

Jesus doesn’t just want part of you. He wants all of you. Following Him isn’t just one more activity you add to your schedule when it’s convenient. Being His follower is an identity that changes us from the inside out.

3. God is the Spirit and we are His dwelling place.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Ephesians 3:16 NLT

When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit fills you and gives you the strength to do things you couldn’t do before: to know God intimately and personally, to pray with power even when you don’t have the words to say, and to be transformed into a person of love.

All you have to do is ask Him. When you do, God will give you the power to know who He is, how much He loves you, and who He says you are.

So, who is God? And who are you in relation to Him?
1. God is the Father and we are His children.
2. God is the Son and we are His followers.
3. God is the Spirit and we are His dwelling place.

Now what? Get the truth in and live the truth out. Let the truth of who God is and who He says you are plant itself deep in your heart by memorizing the verses we’ve read today. Then, live in alignment with your God-given identity by resting in the unconditional love of your Father, following the example of the Son, and asking the Spirit to give you strength. When you do, God will show you who He is, and help you trust who He says you are.

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to adopt me. Thank You that You are my Father and I am Your child. Help me to relate to You that way and trust You more fully as my good and loving Dad. Jesus, thank You for inviting me to walk with You and learn from You. Help me to become more like You as we spend time together and to live and love like You do. Holy Spirit, thank You for Your presence with me and in me. Empower me to internalize Your truth and live out my true identity today. In Jesus’ name, amen.