Welcome back to part two of a blog series on identity. Today we’re diving into the form and function of our identity where we’ll explore how knowing who we are impacts what we do.
Our identity can broadly fit into two categories. Our personal identity and our social identity.
- Personal Identity is who I am. It’s all the elements that make you uniquely you. This includes your personality, passions, values, gifts, beliefs, talents, quirks, what you like and don’t like. This is what I refer to as our form.
- Social Identity is what I do. It’s the role I fulfill in life whether it’s amongst friends, family or at work. For example, daughter, wife, mother, business owner, receptionist, coach, etc. Our social identity is all about where and how I fit into the world and includes our calling, purpose and destiny. I like to call this our function.
Our form and function, who I am and what I do, are meant to work together, enhancing one another. It’s a continuum where who you are influences and directs what you do and in turn what you do grows and develops who you are.
Form without function:
If we have form without function, or a function that does not align with our form, we can find ourselves in a place of boredom. A place where we feel frustrated, despondent, limited, and restless because we don’t have a role that lets us release and express who we are.
You see, our personal identity leads us into our social identity. Who we are is the springboard to what we do. It leads us into our purpose and to the place we’re called to influence.
Function without form:
On the other hand, having function without form leaves us vulnerable to being defined by what we do and the roles we fulfill in our life, instead of who we are.
As a result, over time we can find ourselves feeling exhausted, disillusioned, lost, and resentful. Often unaware that we’re trying to meet an internal need for identity, significance, and worth through external performance and validation.
It may appease the needs of your heart for a moment, but it doesn’t fully satisfy. It will take from you more than it will put into you.
Your Identity has Purpose:
Friend, your function is a natural outflow of your form. What you do flows from and is shaped by who you are, not the other way round. If you’ve found yourself stuck in that place where either your function has been hindered and suppressed or you’ve allowed it to define you, there’s hope.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matthew 22:37-39
It starts with us setting our affections first on God and then on ourselves, before we fulfil our function of loving and serving those around us. If we don’t love and value who we are, we can’t effectively do what we’re called to do, take up our place in this world, and fulfil our purpose.
You see, our identity is not just for us and about us. It’s a God-given gift to the people and world around us. We need to discover the gift of who we are (form and function) so we can share it with the world around us. This world needs you. Not the ‘you’ you think you should be, but your authentic self, as defined by God, not your past experiences, family, friends, or co-workers.
Knowing who we are and being secure in our identity is the foundation of what we do.
In the next blog I’m going to share how we can heal from our past, discover who we are, and step into what we’re called to do. In the meantime, take a minute to reflect on the questions below and allow the Holy Spirit to highlight areas of your life where He wants to bring healing and freedom.
PAUSE – PRAY – PROGRESS
- Have you perhaps become so focused on what you do that you’ve lost or don’t know who you are? Take a minute to invite God into that space and ask Him to meet your need for significance and help you rediscover who you are.
- You are a gift to this world. How would you describe the gift of who you are, your personal identity, to someone?
- What is your function and are you fulfilling it? If not, ask God to show you what His purpose is for you and what He’s called you to.