Who Am I and Whose Am I

The serving leadership journey is based on a framework that has Jesus Christ as the foundation. The Apostle Paul was emphatic when he declared this in 1 Corinthians 3:11: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.​” In fact, its on the basis of this foundation that we can adequately answer the two questions in our title.

As discussed in Phase 1, our framework also includes the pillars of “BE, KNOW, and DO,” applied and sustained through a number of disciplines. At the BE-ing level we examine a leader’s heart motivations, exposing a critical difference based on two questions.

The first key question—“Who Am I?”—regards my purpose in life, and the second question—“Whose Am I?”—regards my relationship with God. If the answers to my questions are self-centered, my heart is motivated by fear and pride. If they are motivated by a higher purpose to honor and glorify God, then my motivations will be characterized by humility and courage.

People are quicker to trust and follow those who have answered these questions positively and effectively. Let's take a deeper look at each question:

1) Who am I? Jesus became a leader worth following by overcoming three temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). Ephesians 2:10 points out that we are God’s workmanship/handiwork (Greek root “poeima”...in one sense we are God’s poetry—he writes another stanza with each new day!) and in 2 Corinthians 5:20 we are called his ambassadors—representing King Jesus and his Kingdom to others.

2) Whose am I? According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 1 John 3:1 I am not my own but belong to God. He is my only audience, my authority and judge.

So do I have integrity? Am I aligned with WHOM I represent or am I just an illusion (see Matthew 23:25)? Is my private life aligned with my public image? Can it be said of me: “What you see is what I am”? Our internal and external realities must be aligned—these reveal WHO or WHAT owns me.

[Next week we will look at the five tests of a serving leader.]