Who Are You? | Discovering identtiy in Christ

When we get to know people for the first time — or even someone we’ve known for a while — at some point, the question comes up:“So, what do you do?”

It’s such a normal question. But lately, I’ve been realising how the answer I give changes depending on where my heart is. It’s funny — the words are simple, but they often reveal something about how I see myself, or how I want others to see me.

Because I’ve been with YWAM Perth for quite a while and worked across a few different teams, I could honestly answer that question in a dozen ways. I could say, “I’m a missionary,” which is true — that’s why I’m here in Australia. But I’m not always what people picture when they hear that word.

In my first ten years, I made videos and films. I tried to find creative ways to share the Gospel through stories and pictures. So sometimes I’d say, “I’m a filmmaker,” or “I work in media,” because that felt easier to explain. Another example — about six years ago, there weren’t enough volunteers in IT, and YWAM asked if I’d step in. So I became the IT guy. It sounds different from a missionary, but really, it’s the same heart. I fix computers so others can preach the Gospel — and sometimes that’s how I preach it too.

Because of that, depending on who I’m talking to, I might give a different answer. If I’m chatting with someone who loves photography, I’ll say, “I’m a photographer for a non-profit.” When I want to get straight to talking about Jesus, I’ll say, “I’m a missionary.” All of it is true — just different angles of the same life.

But here’s the part I don’t always like admitting: sometimes my answer isn’t really for the other person. It’s for me.

In Christian circles, saying “I’m a missionary” can sound noble. And while it’s true, I can tell when my heart is using that word to make myself feel more legitimate, more “spiritual.” When that happens, I can almost smell how stinky my pride is.

Maybe it’s because of my worldview or general perception — introducing myself as a missionary feels more legitimate or worthy of support; a filmmaker sounds creative and cool; an IT guy sounds smart and capable. So I catch myself shifting my answer depending on what I think will sound better in that moment. It’s humbling to realise how much of my worth has been tied to a role, not to God.

I have to remind myself again and again that my identity isn’t in what I do — not in being a missionary, a filmmaker, or a mentor. It’s in who I am — a child of God. Jesus died for me. That’s what gives me worth. I didn’t earn it, and I don’t have to keep proving it. (What a life long journey to discovering identity in Christ...

Still, I haven’t mastered this. Every new season seems to test it again — new roles, new responsibilities, new people asking that same question.

So, what do you do?

Maybe the better question is: Who are you becoming?

After writing all this, I realise the answer for me is actually quite simple — I just need to go back to God more often and answer that question with the right heart. I may carry different roles or skills in different seasons, but at the end of the day, I think I’ll stick with one title: missionary.

Because whatever I do — whether it’s fixing computers, making videos, or mentoring someone — it’s all about introducing Jesus into every part of people’s lives.