Family of Hope
Why Your Career isn’t the Final Answer
Does what you do define who you are? It’s a common story for many, where the job or career becomes our identity, sometimes without us even realizing it. Laney Rene speaks with us about her struggle and, more importantly, the journey of finding true identity beyond our vocations.
“That was honestly back up dancing for me. It was like a dream job; I felt unqualified for it. So once I got it…it was my security. If you asked me who I was, I would tell you I was a backup dancer,” Laney shared, reflecting on how her dream job had become her entire identity.
You might relate to this feeling, believing that your worth is measured by your successes and titles. This mindset, while seemingly affirming, is a slippery slope that leads to finding security in things that are, by nature, fleeting. It’s a false identity.
If stripped of your titles and achievements, who are you?
The Courage to Let Go
Admitting to herself and to God that it was time to “let go” marked the beginning of Laney’s journey to understanding her true identity. This step wasn’t easy. It came with fear and resistance, emotions you might know all too well. Change, especially when it involves leaving behind a part of your identity, is daunting. Yet, Laney’s courage to move beyond her comfort zone to embrace growth.
In a moment of solitude, Laney found herself asking God a fundamental question, “Who am I?” Without her job, without the relationships and titles, who was she at her core? “I felt like God just reminded me of a video of me when I was a little girl. I had seen it just like a couple of months earlier, and in the video I was three years old. I just like I grabbed this little karaoke mic and I just sang, ‘I love Jesus.’ And when I think back to that, it’s really not about necessarily the words that were coming out of my mouth, but I just felt like God was showing me that – beyond anything I ever did – I was just his child.”
Whenever you find yourself struggling with your identity, remember, your true worth isn’t tied to what you achieve or the roles you play.
Your identity, grounded in being a beloved child of God, offers a security no title or achievement can.
Building Confidence and Security in Faith
Laney’s newfound understanding ushered in “the beginning of true confidence and security” for her, not derived from external validation but from an internal assurance of her value in God’s eyes. This perspective shift is inspiring but also instructive. It encourages you to seek your identity in the everlasting love of God. This journey towards embracing your identity as God’s child can fill you with a confidence and security that the world cannot shake.
Now, consider your own life. Are there areas where you’ve mistakenly placed your identity in something as unstable as a vocation?
Laney continues, “Being His was enough. I didn’t have to prove anything. I didn’t have to hide anything, but I was just His.”
Your value comes from whom you belong to and that is the key to unlocking a life of true confidence and security, a life where your identity is firmly rooted in your relationship with God.
Laney is a wife, mom, and founder of The One He Loves, a ministry which exists so every woman can be refreshed, encouraged, and reminded of Jesus’ loving-kindness toward them. Laney is known for sharing the goodness of Jesus in a way that is not just inviting but also captivating. After walking through a painful season and into a redemption story only Jesus could come up with, Laney couldn’t keep the good news to herself. Today, as a worship artist, author, and speaker, Laney continues to find creative ways to share the heart of Jesus with everyone she can! Her book, “Daughter: Becoming Who You Already Are” is available.
Find out more about Laney on Instagram @heylaneyrene. For inquiries, please email info@laneyrene.com