Who Am I? Finding My Identity

Who am I? That seems to be one of the most challenging questions to find the answer to. I could introduce myself like: "Hi, my name is Cailey, a college student, who loves music, creating content, and my dream is to be a marketer with a family of my own someday. Or a deep, honest introduction; “Hi, my name is Cailey; I am an introvert who loves with all my heart; I am passionate, dedicated, and too stubborn for my own good sometimes.” Or an introduction by my titles; “Hi, my name is Cailey, I am a college student, Christian, daughter, sister, and friend. All these things influence who I am but they do not define who Cailey Patterson truly is.

High School is where we start to find our own voice while also trying to figure out who we truly are aside from our family and everything else we have become familiar with over the years. But, it can be difficult because of all the peer pressure, expectations of the world, figuring out what future career we want and what schools we’d have to go to, to achieve that career. You haven't gotten into the world yet, but you are already starting to feel all the pressure. And you think that you have to figure out who you are right then and what you want before it's too late. Or at least that is what it feels like. But truth be told, a school doesn't define you, what you do after high school isn’t who you are, and whatever you chose next in life isn’t who you will be for the rest of your life. As humans, we are everchanging and we need to find our own foundation.

When I was a child, I remember being so excited about high school. I would have more freedom, I would have life figured out, I would get a boyfriend, I would be closer to starting my own life, and to me, that seemed so exciting. Eventually, you do grow up and think you are ready for high school, but then you realize it isn't all it seemed to be. There was not as much freedom because of all the school work and responsibilities you now have, I realized I wasn’t even close to figuring life out (and I am still not), I didn't get a boyfriend, and I was starting to get closer to starting my life in the real world, but the truth be told my life was already started, and the next steps were gonna be a little scary. But, these High School moments weren't my enemy if I learned who I truly was and didn't let anything affect that.

The key to finding who I was, didn't depend on what school I chose or what I wanted to do with my life. But what I chose to believe and who I decided to surround myself with. In high school, I learned it was who I was in Christ that really mattered and I surrounded myself with like-minded individuals. I spent my time, really seeking who I was through; reading about godly-women in the Bible, worshipping, praying, and seeking guidance from my close family, youth pastors, and pastor at my church.

Once I found who I was in Christ and how the Lord defined me, everything else fit into place. Through that firm identity, I knew who I was and that I was enough, I found my own confidence, figured out what I wanted my next steps to be, created lasting friendships, got a boyfriend, and lived my life with a purpose. But even now all those great things still don't define me, because Christ defines me. And all those amazing traits and relationships were blessings from him.

What does the Bible say about you?

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

Psalm 139:14: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

God knew you when you were in your mother’s womb and set you apart

Jeremiah 1:5: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

You were created in God’s own image

Genesis 1:27:” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

You are chosen and loved so much

Ephesians 1:4: And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.

So who am I? I am Cailey Patterson a young lady who is fearfully and wonderfully made by God. And, I am going to let you in on a little secret, so are you! So the next time you doubt who you are, remember who God says you are.

We all go through challenging times and all struggle with our identity, but if you create a strong foundation for yourself and based on what God says about you, then who can stand against you? If you’ve been struggling with your own identity and relationship with Christ lately, I leave you with this verse. It has really helped me lately and I hope it helps you too.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:13