who are you?

Hey Y'all

So, first and foremost, I want you to know that your identity is in the Lord. As Hillsong says in "Who You Say I Am"

Now all of that matters most, but I have realized recently that most people know nothing past that. Now obviously your salvation and becoming a child of God is, and always will be, the most important thing to know about yourself, but I think it is also vital that we know more about ourselves so we can better serve in the up-building of God's kingdom. For example, the enneagram test, I know this test has been kind of controversial lately but I think it can be beneficial if used correctly. The biggest mistake made with this, and tests like it, is that participants often find themselves placing their whole identity in them instead of using them as tools to better uplift and glorify the kingdom of heaven.

In my early high school years I was selected for a national leadership conference. Among the many things I learned through my participation, I learned a significant amount about myself and how I could better lead in my church, my community, and ultimately the cause for Christ. We did several tests that helped us better know ourselves but the staff was very consistent in reminding us that the results of these tests did not give us any excuses to just accept our innate weaknesses or difficulties. They made sure to explain to us that just because, for example, my personality category tends to be bossy, doesn't mean I should act on those impulses because "I am what I am...I can't change that...the test said that's how I'll always be". If we claim any of the statements mentioned, then we are putting our identity in our weakness and in turn the test that pointed them out to us.

If you have made it to this point and still disagree, I understand, but I would encourage you to keep an open mind and implement alternative ways to evaluate yourself and how you may be a more effective servant.

Below I have included some of my favorite tests that I have used to better understand myself and the contributions I can make to Christ and His ministry.

- Love Language Test https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/ This test questions the ways that you feel most loved and appreciated and then assigns you one of the 5 love languages. It has helped me with relationships of all forms. Everything from my friends, family, fellow laborers and future spouse.

- Enneagram Test https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test This test evaluates how you react and relate to several ideas and situations and then assigns you a number 1 through 9 that each correlate with a specific type. This is a fun one to study more in depth because you can go even further and find what "wing" you have or which type near you that you can sometimes lean toward.

- Myers & Briggs Personality Test https://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-personality-test-new This test is the most common personality test. The results come in the form of a 4 letter combination that align with the four categories of Introversion vs. Extraversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Perceiving vs. Judging

- Gary Smalley Test https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=the-smalley-animal-personality-quiz This is one of the tests I took at the leadership training conference. The results place you in one of the following categories: Lion (Choleric), Otter (Sanguine), Golden Retriever (Phlegmatic), Beaver (Melancholy)

- Spiritual Gifts Test https://spiritualgiftstest.com/spiritual-gifts-test-landing/ This is the other test I took while in leadership training. Sadly, I cannot find the exact test I used but this variation is very close. Also the signing up part is sort of lengthy but worth it (select the free test). The survey evaluates your response to multiple scenarios and situations and then ranks your answers according to about 15 gifts. Below is an additional breakdown of each gift from lifeway.com

I personally think this is the most important of all the tests listed. So many people are unaware of the spiritual gifts or that such thing even exists. This is a major hindrance to our ability to serve God and His mission. I believe this is absolutely necessary to furthering the Kingdom.

For some reference, I figured I'd tell y'all my results from each of the test above.

I have two love languages that tie with 9s. They are physical touch and words of affirmation. I have taken this test several times and my results have never wavered nor surprised. I have always understood how "words of affirmation" applies to every relationship I have whether personal or professional, however, it was not until recently that I realized the extent of physical touch. I always related this to only being romantic, but during my first semester of college I realized it was as simple as feeling extra lonely at school, even though I had friends, because it wasn't the same as hugging one of my family members or sitting close with a dear friend as we laughed, told stories, or watched a movie.

As far as enneagram goes I am a type 3 wing 2. I've taken several variations of the test and have got type 1, 2, and 8 before as well, but 3 seems to be the most consistent and I personally, as well as others I have asked, think type three is most fitting for me. Since learning my enneagram I have learned more about how to protect myself from over stressing and how to better my relationships with other enneagram types. Not to mention knowing my friends types has helped me nurture our growing friendships. Below are a few images that I feel capture what it means to be a type 3. These super cute images are courtesy of some of my favorite enneagram Instagram accounts @celestecclark @ashton.creates @brushandbarley

The Myers & Briggs Personality Test was probably the first one I ever took and the one I have taken most. I've done it on my own time and all through out jr. high, high school, college and for missions training. My results have most always been ENFJ. My most recent results specifically said I am 95% extroverted, rely 66% on intuition, I have a 58% value on feelings, and I manage things with 68% judging

I took the Gary Smalley Test my freshman year of high school at Truth and Peace 2016 and again while writing this post. Both times my results typed me as a Lion which suggests a strong-willed leader who struggles with aggressive and dominate behaviors. My adaptive behavior wavers between otter (optimistic and lighthearted) and beaver (perfectionist). Just for fun here's a cool picture of a lion I took several years ago.

Lastly and, in my opinion, most importantly, the spiritual gifts test. I really hate that I couldn't find the exact test I took the first time but "oh whale🐳". My top spiritual gifts are teaching, preaching (shepherding), and apostleship. I was well aware of teaching being my spiritual gift because I was called at such a young age to do it, but through studying what it means to be a good Biblical and educational teacher, I have been able to enhance the gift and use it for glory of the Lord. The word preaching probably scared many of you because I am a female but I would just like to point out that preaching is not the same as pastoring but that's another topic for another time. Lastly, apostleship, I must admit that I struggled with really understanding this gift but since my recent involvement in missions I've started to see how God is using this gift in my life.

I one last time want to strongly urge you to at least participate in a few of these, if not all. I would love to hear your results and will be doing some polling on Instagram in the week to come. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me through social media or through the chat option. I want to help you and the furtherance of the Kingdom in any way possible.

Thanks for the love and support.

As always, love ya and stay tuned!

Emily ♡