It’s easy to let our identity get wrapped up in what we do—especially if we love what we do. That’s an unfortunate way to find our identity. What happens to our identity at the end of the workday when we go home? Or what happens to that identity if we lose our job? If our identity is defined by our work or careers, those transitions can become debilitating.

I have written and preached about this many times, warning us to not tie our identity to our work. We are far more than what we do, but I have had to confront that message head on in recent days.

I retired last week.

Despite my preaching against this, I have too often embraced my work and ministry through Lifeway as a proud part of who I am. For 30+ years, I have thanked God for allowing me to have such a unique ministry—to do something that a lot of other people could’ve done, but for whatever reason, God let me do it. I’ve had a hand in developing 2400+ Bible studies, traveled to 49 states (sorry, North Dakota), participated in video productions, and written countless articles and studies. It has been a rich and rewarding experience, and I’ve never lost sight that I was a part of it all by the grace of God.

Because it was so unique and rich, I would often embrace it as a part of who I am, my identity. But now I’ve chosen to step away and slow down a bit, and it has been harder than I realized. Who am I now?

I am the same person I was last month—and last year. My identity is wrapped up in Christ. It’s who I am in Christ that matters.

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20)

“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:3-4).

I’m thankful for the decades I was a part of the Lifeway ministry and family, and I want to express that thanks without any pride of position. Instead, I say it with humility. I pray my identity in Christ was reflected in my work, just as I pray that my identity in Christ will be clear to all as I move into this next chapter.

What is that next chapter?

  • I will continue to blog twice a week.
  • I will do some occasional writing for Lifeway.
  • I will serve in a part-time ministry role at my church.
  • I will find woodworking projects for the 2000+ board feet of hardwood in my garage.
  • I will sleep in, possibly as late as 5:30 a.m.
  • I will continue to embrace who I am in Christ.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).

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