When growing up, I ran free throughout the neighborhood, often organizing some type of activity with other neighborhood kids. Whenever I left the house, my mother would always say, “Remember who you are.”

I thought it was such a strange thing to say, and I never really paid much mind to it. Then, as I got older and started driving, my mother said the same thing when I left the house—“Remember who you are.” It always sounded strange no matter how many times I heard it through the years.

Then, when I had children of my own, I realized that my mother’s mantra was intended to remind me that I was representing my family through all my words and actions.

An Identity Found in Christ

Jesus tells us that all who receive him, who believe in his name, he gives the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Where we once walked in darkness, we are now light in the Lord and walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8). As children of light, when we leave the house to engage the world, go to school, or go to work, Jesus says to us, “Remember whose you are.” 

Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). Be witnesses to the ends of the world (Acts 1:8). He reminds us to remember whose you are because the validity of our witness is in how we conduct ourselves and live our lives.

Be imitators of God, walk in love as Christ loves us and gave himself up for us (Ephesians 5:1-2). God the Father loves you so much that He sent Jesus as a sacrifice to reconcile you to Him – what does that say about your value? Remember whose you are.

The work we do in school or at our place of employment in and of itself is not merely a destination but a significant milestone on a long journey of professional life. Remember to constantly challenge yourself to learn something from every situation you encounter.

Your heart reveals your character, so challenge yourself to constantly evaluate the condition of your heart. Let others be drawn to God because of how you conduct yourself and the encouraging words that flow from you. 

Workplace Missionaries

Some of you are early in your career; others of you are more experienced, either seeking to advance in your current profession or perhaps you’ve recently changed vocations altogether. Regardless of your status, you are blessed with purpose as workplace missionaries in your chosen profession, and it is significant. Regardless of abilities or skill, every workplace needs someone like you – so others can follow. To every person, in every workplace, in every nation, be living proof of a loving God to a watching world.

Regardless of abilities or skill, every workplace needs someone like you – so others can follow. To every person, in every workplace, in every nation, be living proof of a loving God to a watching world.

 And what is work anyway?

It was planned from the beginning. We were created to work and support ourselves, not be idle (Genesis 2:15; Thessalonians 3:10). What is often the first thing we ask them when we meet people? “What do you do?” Our cultural identity is tied to our work. Perhaps it is because we tend to relate to people and value them according to our view of their occupation. Perhaps it is because we continually strive for glory through our accomplishments and occupational stature and need to see how we compare.

We typically hold the great leaders, philosophers, and inventors in our history in high regard due to their vision, intelligence, ingenuity, and perseverance that resulted in significant achievements. We look to their wisdom for application in our professional lives and endeavors to achieve positive results. Wisdom can be found from these men and women that apply to your work and other things of this world. However, the question is, do you want to be known as someone who pursued personal glory or one who significantly impacted another’s life forever—in other words, someone who changed the world or someone who changed eternity?

So, I say to you—remember whose you are. Work with integrity; embrace your job with a sense of purpose, and acknowledge the influence you wield with your co-workers and everyone you encounter.

Steve Jobs was one of the greatest inventors of our time. Consider this quote from him:

“.. almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

He meant it to be challenging and uplifting, but it seems to fall short.

Living for Eternity

The contrast of his challenge to “follow your heart” in light of realizing his mortality is in strong contrast to God’s words that stress the need to live for things that last forever. The Bible teaches that a person’s character is always a matter of what is in the heart. The source of our actions is the result of what we hold and think upon in our hearts—so it is not simply a matter of following the heart unless our hearts are submitted to Jesus.

When following your heart, the questions to be answered are; are you acting out of pride and insisting on doing things your way, or are your actions expressions of your character demonstrated from a heart in humble submission to God? A person with issues [sin] in their heart will act on it when presented with an opportunity. All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs his heart (Proverbs 21:2).

However, a person who has a good heart is a person with an upright character. God interacts with us to get us to change our character. Your heart and your character are identifiers of being a Christ-follower. Work hard in all that you do, be aware of your appearance as it sends a message about you, and conduct yourself with honesty and integrity— and through all of these, remember to place the highest priority on eternal things.

Consider a poem written by General George S. Patton:

“For over a thousand years, Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph—a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white, stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: That all glory is fleeting.”

 The last line of Patton’s poem echoes the point of Matthew 6:19-21, which says, “do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Wisdom to Live By

We may strive to achieve and leave our mark in this world, but those things are fleeting, and so I challenge you to live for things that last forever. So, what does this mean?

Consider these related axioms of wisdom in that endeavor:

You are always being watched by someone. Show them what it looks like to have a true servant heart.

 Don’t waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you’re ahead; sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and, in the end, the race is only with yourself.

A compliment is the easiest and cheapest gift you can offer someone, but it is like gold to the recipient. And I would add that it carries a lot of weight regardless of how young or old the recipient is, so don’t hesitate in life to compliment those around you, even if you don’t know them.

Our wealth is the investment we have made in those whom we have influenced, and in those we have cared for when they were feeling blue. 

In all our accomplishments, even the big ones, our good feelings are only temporary. Security and self-worth are not found in these accomplishments, but far beyond them in the love of God.

I wish you all the success you can achieve. Remember whose you are.