What defines who we are? Where does personality come from? Is it our environment, how we were raised; or is it a soul thing?
I’ve taken a few different personality tests, just for fun. And I’ve taken one or two tests multiple times. I get a different answer every single time I take it, and the answer I get is typically only partially true. And I ask myself that notorious question that everyone comes around to, “Who am I?”
I’ve started to think about who I am around other people, and even then I come up with a mixed answer. And the truth is that all of you probably know a different Noah than the other. Some of you might know me to be quiet and reserved. Maybe even a little shy. A few of you might think I’m a little crazy, bouncy and eccentric. I think I’ve even perfected my image around a lot of you. Giving off the appearance that I have everything together, not saying that I don’t 
. But there is one common denominator in all of the Noahs. I’m a follower of Jesus in every one of them.
So I began to categorize all the different types of people that I put myself around. Friends from school, friends from church, friends around the neighborhood. And I’ve started to realize that I reflect differently around different people. So…does this make me fake? I’m not the same person everywhere I go. And I go to a lot of different places. I go to church, I go to parties (rarely, but still), I go to Bible studies, and I go Ultimate Frisbee meets. But as I think of who I am in all of these places, I have the light of Jesus everywhere I go. Even when I’m surrounded by temptations at a party, I guarantee you won’t find me indulging. And think about who Jesus surrounded himself with before you call me out, sinners and tax collectors….
I’m not writing this for you to praise me, or for you to pat me on the back. I’m writing this because I hear people call others fake all the time. When the truth is that all of us have different sides that different people know. But there needs to be a common denominator. Even if you’re not Christian, there’s one defining characteristic about you that doesn’t change with the different masks that you put on. And even if you’re not Christian, that characteristic reflects who you are, might as well make it a good one.
Who do you want to be?
I’m a follower of Jesus.
