Do You Know Who You Are?

“Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.”- (Ps 36:10).

Someone once said, “Success is when those who know you the best are those who love you the most.”

Years ago a self-assessment tool was developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingram called the Johari window. The Johari Window helps us realize where we are in our ability to know who we are and for others to know who we are. Real transparency in communication takes place when those we associate with us know who we are after we discover who we really are. See if you can identify what category you might fall among these four:

Transparent Life The transparent life is the life we should desire. I know who I am and others know me. There is nothing hidden. I have come to know who I am as an individual and basically people get what they see in me.

Bull-In-The-China Shop This person is blinded to the things that others recognize about him. The solution to becoming a transparent person is to get feedback from those around us about the blind spots in our personality. We must ask for the feedback and be willing to respond to their input.

Aloof/Hidden Secrets This person lives in a secret world. They don’t allow others to know about themselves. They know themselves but are fearful of letting others know. Those around them do not know them either. What do others really know about you? Have you allowed yourself to get close enough to others to share who you really are inside?

Hidden Potential This is a combination of Bull-In-A-China Shop and Aloof/Hidden Secrets. It is the saddest of all conditions. These people don’t know themselves and others don’t know them either. This means both parties have to invest the energy to communicate and get feedback from one another.

How about you? Why not take a step to find out who you really are in the eyes of others. It could change your life. 

From Today God is First

Why church pews are empty?

In 1945, a book was written about the spiritual condition of England. “We are convinced that England will never be converted until the laity use the opportunities daily afforded by their various professions, crafts and occupations.”* During the time of this writing, 30% of England attended church. Today, less than 7% attend church in England. It has become a secularized nation.

During this same time, more than 40% of America was attending church. Today, less than 30% attend church and it is rapidly declining. The reason is that more and more believers are seeing the local church as irrelevant to the world they live in. Surveys reveal that up to 90% of church members believe they are not being taught how to apply the Bible to the complex world of work where they spend 60-70% of their time. It is not a question of them being taught the Bible; it is a question of making it relevant to their world

How can you know God’s plan for your lIfe.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hoe and a future” (NiV).

Seek God and ask for his direction.
Seek His will by searching His Word.
Pay attention to the passion of our heart.
Realistically evaluate your abilities.
Take into account our natural talents.
Consider the advice of those who know you best.
Then step out on faith, trusting God to help you make the right choices.