Who Are You?

“Who are you?”

At first glance this is a simple question, but it’s actually much more complicated than it seems.

Who are you?
Who am I?

There are a number of ways to answer that question. I could answer from my family heritage. I’m the son of Ted Genders the son of James Genders the son of…you get the point. The answer could find it’s origin in where I grew up. I’m a small-town kid from Central Illinois. The answer may be discovered through my accomplishments. I’m an Eagle Scout, a merit scholar and a graduate of two Universities.

Who am I?

I have been a small business owner, a corporate trainer, a teacher and a pastor. I am a leader, teacher, writer. A husband, father, friend. I am a mentor to next-generation leaders and a Second Dad for many students.

Who am I?
Who are you?

Have you ever been asked that question? It seems to come up frequently. It’s phrased in different ways, but it’s still the same question.

“Tell me about yourself.” Who are you?
“What do you do for a living?” Who are you?
“How long have you lived here?” Who are you?
“Tell me about your family.” Who are you?

This seemingly simple question is, in reality, a deeply-nuanced question about family heritage, geographic origins, accomplishments, relationships and so much more. When was the last time you were asked that question?

I was recently invited to join the Board of Directors for an organization with interests both nationally & globally. The time came for the first board meeting, and I found myself traveling to another state in a rented car. As I sat in the hotel room the night before the meeting, I wondered what the next day had in store. What were these board meetings going to be like? Who would be involved? Would anyone else around the table be new, or was I the only one?

The next morning arrived clear & sunny. It was a day perfectly made to do anything OTHER than sit inside for eight hours, but — with fresh cups of coffee and a long agenda in our hands — we each took a seat around the conference room table. It was in this moment that I discovered I was the only new member. While I didn’t know the tenure of everyone sitting around the table, I quickly came to realize that every individual in the room had all been at this table before. Every single one of them. Except me.

Purely for my sake, the Chairman of the Board had us go around the room and introduce ourselves. One by one, each board member answered the same question: “Who are you?” We shared our names, a little insight into our history & family, our current role in the organization and why we agreed to serve on the Board. As the day moved on and the discussions grew deeper, we continued to learn more about each other. The comments each of us made and the perspectives each of us held reflected the nuanced answer to that one question that began the day.

Who are you?

John the Baptist was once asked this question. If you don’t know John, he was an interesting character…an individual definitely worth learning more about. He lived & worked in the middle of the wilderness. He was a nobody from nowhere with a nonsensical message that was starting to draw some attention. So much attention, in fact, that people would travel for days to see him. Eventually, his message reached the ears of the spiritual leaders of the nation, and they sent a delegation to inquire as to who John was.

This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” (John 1:19–22)

Sometimes I wonder if John didn’t understand the art of communication. Or maybe he knew exactly what he was doing. His one-word answers quickly narrowed down the options for the people asking the questions.

I am not the Messiah.
I am not Elijah.
I am not the Prophet.

“John…we aren’t asking who you aren’t. We’re asking who you are!”

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’” (John 1:23)

“Well that was helpful,” thought the inquisitors as they rolled their eyes.

You know what I love about John? He understood something that many of us need to learn. It wasn’t about him. It wasn’t about his family heritage, his hometown or his accomplishments. It wasn’t about who he had been in the past or what he was doing in the present. It was all about Jesus.

A man named Paul understood this, too. Eventually. He didn’t start out in life with that understanding. At birth, his name was Saul…but then he met Jesus and his name was changed to Paul. Maybe you know this man with two names.

Saul was born into the right family on the right side of the tracks. He went to the best schools and had the best teachers money could buy. According to the local police, he never broke a law…not even jay-walking. He was climbing the corporate ladder at an unprecedented rate. His name was being praised publicly in town hall meetings all around the country. His name was also being whispered in fear behind closed doors. Many people loved Saul. Many people feared Saul.

Jesus looked at Saul and saw someone else. Jesus saw Paul.

Paul was a broken man. A man who was confronted by his own sinfulness & misguided notions. A man who became a fearless follower of Jesus. Paul was a prolific writer & church planter who traveled the known world telling people about Jesus. Paul set aside the family heritage, the hometown, the education & the accomplishments of Saul and became Paul.

Those who once loved Saul now hated Paul. And many of those who now followed Paul once lived in fear of Saul.

It’s intriguing how an encounter with Jesus can change people. Those who once fought against God now become friends with God. Their names are changed. Their stories are re-written.

The main character takes a supporting role.
The antagonist becomes the protagonist.
The unbeliever becomes the believer.
The rebel becomes the follower.
The drunkard becomes sober.
The addict comes clean.
The boss becomes the servant.
The arrogant becomes humble.
The teacher becomes the student.
The hopeless feels hope stirring again.
The dreamer of dreams sees a new future.

This is my story. This is who I am. Who are you?