Jay’s Note:

This is the first guest post from James Kelly. He’s a good friend and a great ministry partner in my life. You’ll be seeing him around here a lot more in the near future. Enjoy.

My wife and I were watching Batman Begins the other night and when we heard the quote “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me” I asked her what she thought and she replied, “It’s totally contrary to the Gospel. It’s not what we do that defines us, it’s who Jesus is and what he has done for us.” Both Karen and I agree what we “do” is extremely important, but we believe what we do will come from who we are “underneath.”

I believe who we are underneath should define what we do. Far too often we ignore the deepest parts of who we are. Far too often we push who we are underneath the surface aside. What we believe. Why we believe it. Our deepest hurts. Our deepest joys. Our passions, our past, and our dreams. It’s these things that make us who we are underneath. It starts with who you are, and when you start dealing with that, you start doing.

A question I ask myself periodically is this: if I were to die tomorrow how would I want to be remembered (defined)? Currently, I would hope for four things: humble, disciplined, passionate, and a serving, inspiring leader. Some people tell me I’m passionate.  The others…not quit. But knowing I am weak in these areas help me focus on what I need to change.

How would someone define you today? Does that match up with how you desire to be defined? Take a minute and think about it.

Who you are underneath should ignite passion into action.

Deal with who you are right now. Write out a few ways you want to be defined and set out a realistic action plan to move towards becoming that person.  If it is humility, start reading about Jesus. Read books on humility and take actions to reflect on your prideful self. If it is discipline, find someone to hold you accountable to your time and stick to your plan! Whatever it is, you can’t just wait for life to change you. You need to change life!

If you think everyone would say great things about you and you believe you are exactly where you want to be, you have some serious pride issues and need to deal with those.  Its time to deal with “truly you” and then start watching your passions ignite into action.  Think it out. Write it out. Do it!

James