Identity Bound by Actions

        Identity can be defined as who someone is. I believe that an individuals identity is found through their actions. Most of the time when someone lies they become a liar, difficult for others to trust, or when someone comforts they become the comforter that people goes to. In order to find my identity I can based it off of what I do and how I do it. Because I believe that acting upon God's commands is missions, these actions also reflect a person's identity. Without finding my identity in Christ it would have been impossible for me to do his mission. If my actions are not a part of his missions, then my identity is not found in him. 
        In the Great Commission it is mentioned that some worshiped while still yet others doubted. When I doubt I tend to lose hope and give up. God knows that and I believe that is why he said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I have learned that trusting him in using me to carry out His mission has become a large and important factor of finding my identity. Because if I do not trust him how can I act for him?

Forming Identities

Identity is extremely important when dealing with missions and the Great Commission. Our identity must be found in Christ when we are doing missions because then there is nothing that  is actually being done. Like I said before, I've realized that when our center isn't Christ and our identity is found in these material things like grades, friends, etc. we essentially waste our lives. We are running a race that really never ends, but with God in our heart, we run a race where the finish line suddenly becomes clear.
The Great Commission is going out and sharing the Gospel. If Christ isn't our identity, what are we really sharing? If anything, we're sharing how great of a person we are and how much other people need to listen to us. That isn't the commission that Jesus called us to do. So we need to strive to keep Jesus as our center because in Him all perfect things are found.

Identifying Identity

   If you don't know yourself or you don't love yourself, serving others is impossible. The first step in pouring love on others is to acknowledge your self-worth and to respect yourself. Likewise, when spreading the Gospel in missions, if you do not know your identity, the purpose of missions is defeated. You have to know the fact that you are a firm believer who is out in this hectic world to spread the deeds of our Savior. You can't go about carrying out missions when you are lost in an identity crisis yourself. When serving, a clear, intentional mindset is essential and identity is an important factor of that mindset.
   The Great Commission tells us to spread the words of God and make disciples of all nations. To God, our identity doesn't matter because his love is unconditional; however, when we go forth to spread the Word, we need to constantly remind ourselves of who we are in the name of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, God's love reaches out to anyone and everyone regardless of identity, but once we are saved and acknowledge the Holy Spirit within us, we need to be aware of our identity as followers of Christ.