Calling: The Inward Journey | Discovering Your Identity and Calling E3 (Revamped)
Jan 26, 2024
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The podcast explores the inward journey of discovering our identity and calling as believers. It discusses the importance of self-awareness, coping mechanisms, and the Enneagram as a transformative tool for personal growth. The speakers emphasize the significance of finding true identity in Christ and the difference between resume virtues and eulogy virtues.
Self-discovery is essential to knowing God and living out our calling.
Confronting our sin and shadow side leads to resurrection and healing through Jesus.
Deep dives
The Journey of Self-Discovery
In this podcast episode, John Mark explores the concept of self-awareness and the importance of going on an inner journey of self-discovery. He highlights the significance of self-awareness in our relationship with God, as well as in our relationships with others and ourselves. Drawing from the teachings of Christian thinkers throughout history, John Mark emphasizes the need to deeply know ourselves in order to know God and live out our calling. He highlights that self-discovery is not about creating our own identity, but about receiving it as a gift from our Creator. Through a reflection on biblical passages and the use of the Enneagram personality system, John Mark encourages listeners to embrace the inner journey and confront their shadow side to experience transformation and growth.
Unmasking Our False Self
John Mark delves into the concept of the false self and its impact on our lives. He explains how the false self is shaped by societal expectations, childhood experiences, and the desire to fit in. He emphasizes the need to peel back the layers of the false self and confront our shadow side in order to discover our true identity. John Mark mentions the Enneagram as a helpful tool to navigate this process, as it provides insights into our personality type and motivations. He cautions against using the Enneagram to label or judge others, highlighting the importance of compassion and understanding in relationships. Ultimately, John Mark encourages listeners to remember that their true identity is rooted in Christ and the love of the Father, and that self-discovery is a necessary step on the journey of becoming who they are called to be.
Dealing with Sin and Shadow Side
Sin and the shadow side are explored in this podcast episode as integral aspects of the journey of self-awareness. John Mark clarifies that sin is not just about behavior, but also about the patterns of thinking, feeling, and relating that hinder our relationship with God and others. He discusses the four layers of sin, ranging from gross sins to unconscious sins and trust structures. The Enneagram is presented as a valuable tool for unmasking the shadow side and understanding one's sin tendencies. While cautioning against using the Enneagram as an excuse for behavior or labeling others, John Mark emphasizes the necessity of confronting our sin and shadow side to experience resurrection and healing through Jesus.
Embracing Transformation through Self-Awareness
John Mark underscores the transformative power of self-awareness and the journey of self-discovery in this podcast episode. He acknowledges the challenges of facing our sin and shadow side, but emphasizes that by embracing this inner journey and removing the mask of our false self, we open ourselves up to experience God's grace and healing. He encourages listeners to approach this process with humility, compassion, and a sense of humor. John Mark reinforces the significance of our true identity as beloved sons and daughters of God, highlighting that the ultimate goal of self-discovery is to become the best version of ourselves and live out our calling in Christ.
"The main thing God gets out of your life is the person you become" - Dallas Willard
Our calling isn't just about what we do with our lives: it's also about who we become. John Mark talks about the inward journey: who we are called to be as believers, and how to get there.
Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 4v18-22; Matthew 9v9-13
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Barbara from Mesa, Arizona; David from Portland, Oregon; Josiah from Byron Center, Michigan; Renee from Cambridge , Massachusetts; and Kyle from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Thank you all so much!
If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.
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