Do You Know Who I Am?

I’m not sure if it’s the technology age we’re in, but lately everybody has a title attached to their name. It seems that people are always telling us who they are, and they are always very important. I have come across so many prophets, first ladies, ministers of music, bishops, pastors, authors, evangelists, teachers, and the list goes on and on. While I am not saying that having a title is wrong, positioning is and it’s going on at an alarming rate. Many introduce themselves with a title before their name and are insulted if you leave off their proper title. At times, it feels like some are crying out on the social media sites, “Don’t you know me? I’m important! I am somebody!” It’s not wise to elevate your stature or prominence if you’re track record and actions don’t line up with or live up to your title.

During our last Sunday school lesson, several verses we studied speak to this very issue. Proverbs 25:6-7 reads, “Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.” We shouldn’t be hasty to elevate ourselves because we can cause ourselves embarrassment. Furthermore, Jesus teaches on this very subject in Luke 14:7-14, in the parable about not seating yourself in places of honor. We are instructed not to “sit down in the highest room” (Luke 14:8). Jesus continues, “But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 14:10-11).

There’s another verse in Proverbs 27: 2 that says, “Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” I’ve often found that when people try to list off their credentials and accomplishments and constantly engage in name dropping, they tend to struggle with insecurities. While they may impress others in the moment, they only have a fleeting satisfaction. Like a bucket with a hole in it, they are constantly running to try to fill their bucket with flattery from others. The problem is that people truly anchored in the Lord aren’t interested or impressed with these shallow actions and empty words.

Instead, they are interested in who you really are as a person and what you are actively doing to advance the Kingdom. Trust me, people will know who you are sooner or later—whether you want them to or not. Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” You will get recognition from the Lord. He will bless you in countless ways. Your love, peace, and joy will mark you as a child of God, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in you will draw others.

Being a Christian is a life of being a servant, not counting up how many people are beneath or above you. You are somebody in Christ, whether you have a title, position, recognition or not. He truly does know your name.