Identity to Intentionality — Women Around Southeastern

Who am I?

I have wrongly answered this question for most of my life. However, only within the last few years did God truly reveal who I am.

I am a daughter of the King.

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (Jn 1:12-13 ESV).

All people function out of their identity.

As the inspiring Dr. Kristen Kellen would say, “our beliefs drive our behavior.” Therefore, our intentional actions flow out of our spiritual foundations.

Our spiritual foundations incorporate our beliefs and values.

We regularly address beliefs and values in the counseling room because we know how much they impact our actions.

As a student pursuing biblical counseling, I have asked myself three main questions: What are my fundamental beliefs? What are my top three values? Finally, how will these values impact my career as a biblical counselor and help me serve intentionally?

My fundamental belief is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to live a sinless life, be crucified on the cross as my substitute, and rise again on the third day for the forgiveness of sins. And He did it just as it was written.

My top three values include integrity, dependency, and humility.

So, I ask myself again - Who am I?

I am a daughter of the King. This is where my identity resides. However, I am also a wife, counselor, disciple-maker, and friend.

This is where the rubber meets the road. How does my identity and fundamental beliefs and values impact how I serve others intentionally – whether that be my husband, counselees, or friends?

Throughout the few years I have been a follower of Jesus, the Lord has shown me that intentionally serving is a holistic endeavor. By holistic, I mean intentionally serving is a cognitive, relational, emotional, physical, and theological endeavor.

Intentionally serving takes the whole person. However, it takes the whole person dependent on God to get them there. Notably, dependence places a spotlight on the need for humility. Believers must humble themselves before a Holy God as He is our Creator and sustainer, enabling us to do the work He has called us to do.

As believers, we must properly understand who God is and who we are in light of Him. This theological framework fuels our intentionality in service.

Therefore, to be rooted in who I am in Christ, to be dependent on Him in service, and to humbly set aside my will and trust that He will get me there is how I serve intentionally.

Who am I?

I am a Christian woman who desires to follow, represent, and glorify God in all that I do and one who is capable through the means by which God has equipped me to do the work He has called me to do.

It is only because of who He is that I am who I am. It is only because of what He has done for me that I am able to do for others.

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only that I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

All glory and honor to God, forever and ever. Amen.