From the beginning God had a plan and purpose for you! Genesis 1:27 recounts God's creation of humanity. We are all a reflection of the Imago Dei—made in God’s own image. God knew you before you were born. He directly oversaw your development—your smile, your heart for community, the way you love nature—every detail that makes you who you are is intentional.
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. –Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
God reminds us in His Word, that before we took our first breath, He knew us and had a plan for our lives. Our identity is not found in our family of origin, personality, past, or achievements—it is found in God alone.
If you find yourself questioning who or whose you are, we encourage you to read these verses from the Bible:
Psalm 139:13-14
For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. (AMP)
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. (NLT)
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (ESV)
Ephesians 1:4-5
Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. (NLT)
Your value and worth do not come from what you can do or achieve in this life. Value is determined by our Creator. Perfectionism and striving have no place in God’s Kingdom. When we get side-tracked by comparison or distracted by our circumstances, we can come back to God’s Word and remind ourselves of who we are in Him!
1 John 4:4
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. (NLT)
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light. (AMP)
2 Corinthians 12:9
But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. (AMP)
Colossians 3:1-4
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. (NLT)
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)
When you understand who you are in Jesus, you will grow unshakeable confidence! We do not have to worry about our present circumstances or tomorrow’s plans. God is always with us, and we are secure in Him! When we fully embrace our God-given identity, we want others to have the same experience. Remember, everyone you meet also carries the Imago Dei and is a beloved daughter or son of our Creator! Share this Good News with someone today!
If you want to go deeper into understanding your identity in Christ, we encourage you to watch these conversations with Sheila Walsh, Ann Voskamp, Debra Fileta, Holly Wagner, and Jess Connolly.
- Episode 906: Created in God’s Image
- Episode 907: Understanding Your Value
- Episode 908: How to Stop Striving
- Episode 909: Stop Chasing Perfection
- Episode 910: Recognizing Imago Dei
