Author Confessions: Who Are You?
Many years ago, I attended a Christian conference for people in the field of psychology. The workshops were great. A few of the women decided to go to lunch. I had never met any of them before.
I asked them the question beyond your name, Who are you?
The first one started to talk about their position working in a non-profit helping unwed mothers. While that is a noble career, I needed to stop her. I said, “That is what you do, which is great, but who are you?”
Another one made an attempt to answer the question but again talked about their work. Fair enough, we were at a conference to help us in our careers.
Maybe I’m obnoxious, for sure I was persistent. I said “Who you are is not what you do for a living.”
What would an example be? I’m a child of God. I’m and encourager, creative, I love hearts, flowers, and gardening (but am not a fan of weeding). I can be impulsive and silly at times. I love music and singing. I love the church. Now I would probably add, I love being married to Ben, playing mini-golf, and occasionally driving a skid-steer. I’m also an INFJ and while I love being with people I prefer one-on-one conversations to large groups. I’m a WISIWIG – what you see is what you get. I’m not good at putting on airs and while I might reveal all my history or secrets, I’m pretty honest and my face will sometimes communicate more than my words might say!
After I gave them an example they struggled to find ways to describe themselves and separate their profession from their identity. I am not what I do, however, who I am will express itself in how I do whatever work I undertake. I could eventually, upon a closer connection to someone, share some of the lessons I’ve learned from the experiences that have shaped who I am today.
How about you? If someone asks you: Who are you? How would you respond? It’s easy and almost a way to brag and also put up a wall, to give a profession or degree, or successes.
If I say I enjoy writing books, which I do, it is different from saying I’m a multi-published author of over 38 stories. Well, that definitely sounds more impressive and if I added “best-selling” or “award winning” into that description it might give you an elevated view of who I am. Awards or book sales, or a job that pays a high salary, are not things that define WHO I am. They might describe a fleeting moment in time, and make up part of my story, but they are not my identity before God.
When I write my character might start out with some kind of job, but the fun of a story isn’t learning about their work, it’s learning about the person themselves and what makes them tick. A romance can’t be built only on career compatibility (is there such a thing?).
I will confess there are times when I want to toss out my experience, education or successes, but it doesn’t matter to God in the long run. While earthly achievements are nice and in many ways a form of validation from the world, and maybe from God, it is more the work of our heart and our desire to honor Him in all things that will matter more.
It takes more time to get to know someone beyond their job, but it is a worthy endeavor. I have two neighbors I want to get to know better and neither of them work outside the home. I’ve been a homemaker myself for many years. I look forward to learning more about the things that they enjoy and what stirs their hearts and what kinds of hopes and dreams they may have. And maybe be able to encourage them with the challenges they face.
God isn’t going to say “well-done good and faithful servant” to me based on a GPA, or the level of education I have or the amount of money I made during my lifetime. Only HE truly knows the number of people whose lives have been impacted by interacting with me – both positively and negatively.
Who are you? How would you answer that question?