Did Your Parents Dictate Your Identity?

January 29, 2015

There are some people who live in their true identities from an early age.

These are the ones who were blessed to have parents who taught them how to truly live in Christ, not just call themselves Christians. These parents have accurately followed the biblical injunction to train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6).

Many parents seem to assume they are supposed to train the child in the way they think he should go, instead of truly and consistently seeking God’s wisdom and guidance.

Children who have been destined for the business world are pushed into the ministry through ignorance of the principles of identity.

Others who were meant to be artists are forced into banking.

Some who should have been skilled carpenters end up as struggling athletes.

This parental action is usually well-meaning. However, parents will often guide their children into what they think are well-paying and respected careers when the child clearly has a gift for something less financially stable.

Selfishness can be a motive. A father might want to see his son succeed in sports where he couldn’t. A daughter might be pushed into law to enhance the family reputation. The list is endless.

Who can tell us where our true identity lies? The one who created us. Only God knows exactly who we are as individuals and what we are meant to become.

He has already determined our destiny and fashioned us specifically with talents, desires, gifts, and abilities to fulfill that calling. When we don’t know who we are and what we were meant to be, we can lead miserable lives.