Made for More

From self-esteem movements to self-help movements, the world is constantly grasping for a sense of identity, worth, and confidence. Technology and social media turned the search for self-worth into a frenzy. Our feeds subtly promise that we will feel better about ourselves if we click here, read this, or buy now. And since the most compelling lies usually have a little truth in them, we keep falling for the same old schemes. Let’s look at a few truths about our identity and worth—according to the Word and not the world. 

1. Your Life Is Full of Significance

The world says, “You do you,” “Do whatever feels right,” or “Whatever floats your boat.” While it’s true that God gave us freedom and free will, He wants us to discover that we were made for more than ourselves, our whims, and cultural trends. We were created to trust in someone bigger than “self.” God holds a purpose for our lives. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “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.”

As we surrender to our Creator—who knows us better than we know ourselves—He shows us the next steps toward a more fulfilling pathway for our lives. God invites us into a life of significance that is more enriching than a life full of self. 

2. Serving Others > Self-Serving 

In Luke 22, the disciples argued about which of them was considered the greatest. 

Jesus responded by teaching them that the greatest is the servant of all—and that He Himself came to serve, not to be served. A self-serving life—trying to be the greatest—will leave us empty, but a life of serving others is considered great in God’s eyes. 

C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” True humility is God-confidence; it can’t be achieved through more “likes” on Facebook, a fancy title, or accolades. God-confidence is not focused on how great we can become but on adding value to others. Jennifer Dukes Lee says it this way: “He isn’t growing us into superstars. He’s growing us into servants.”

3. The End of Your Self Is Just the Beginning 

In Matthew 11:11, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.” And in John 3:30, John the Baptist said these words about Jesus: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” In other words, the greatest man on earth, according to Jesus, was the man committed to making Jesus famous, not himself. 

Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 

The Gospel takes us to the end of ourselves so Christ in us can begin. We don’t find our truest selves in our social media feed or news feed—it is in Christ that we discover our identity, our worth, and our God-confidence.

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