“ Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1 (NKJV)

Raise your hand if you’ve ever had to respond to: “Tell me about yourself.” Whether in a professional, corporate, high school, or university setting, at some point, we’ve all faced this dreaded question. If you’ve ever had to do this in a virtual setting—kudos to you. It’s even more painful. Silence. Awkwardness. A grid of faces staring blankly, their expressions screaming, “this introduction could’ve been an email.”

The default response? Key highlights, what makes you tick, and ultimately provide a snippet of who you are.

The Hustle & Grind: Chasing Success

As the eldest daughter of immigrant parents, my ultimate goal in life was to ensure their sacrifice wasn’t in vain. I worked hard, got the grades, got into the right university, and pursued the career of my dreams (allegedly). The roadmap was simple:

Graduate > Get the right job to kick-start the career > Hustle > Climb > Hustle > Climb—in that order.

I spent my 20s laser-focused on building said career. I checked all the boxes, and my hard work paid off. God was opening all the doors and connecting all the dots! I thrived in a “fast-paced environment,” rapidly gained industry knowledge, and was duly rewarded for my efforts. I chased product trends, hopped around the industry to broaden my expertise, and meticulously curated my personal brand, spinning my achievements and positioning myself for the next big thing.

The Moment of Reckoning: Who Am I?

Fast forward a few years—one evening, after a weekly prayer meeting, a close friend was dropping me home. During the drive, she asked, “So, Hazel, who are you?”

I confidently responded, “Well, I’m X for a SaaS company. Insert more industry jargon here etc.”

She stopped me. “No, Hazel—who are you? What is your identity?”

Crickets. The awkward silence was deafening. I sat there, mouth gaping.

Why couldn’t I answer her? It was a simple question. And yet, in that moment, I realised I had never truly asked myself.

Transient Achievements vs. Eternal Treasure

I had never stopped to reflect on my progress or achievements. Each milestone achieved was another item to tick off the list. I was always chasing the next big thing remember? No matter how much I advanced, the deep void (gnawing guilt) remained. Regardless of how much effort I poured into my career, I was never at peace or fulfilled.

I began to ask myself: How much had I sacrificed in the name of building my future? Where did my faith, my commitment to ministry, sit on my priority list?

Yes, I was a professing Christian. I made sure my friends and colleagues knew I was a born-again Believer. I attended church every Sunday, served in the music team, and taught Sunday School. Surely, that was enough, right?

Deep down, I knew it wasn’t. My faith had become a checklist exercise and was certainly a low priority compared to my career.

A slow, creeping realization settled in: All these hours spent working overtime, over-exerting myself in the name of career progression, chasing titles—it was ultimately all in vain. Familiar words convicted me: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” – Mark 8:36 (NKJV)

I wasn’t taking any of these accolades with me. I knew this. We learned this in Sunday School 101. Yet, how often do we get caught up in the daily grind and forget foundational spiritual truths?

When I stand before the Lord, He won’t say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, for climbing the corporate ladder.”

That realisation was a key faith turning point for me. I was focused on amassing worldly treasure through career success and validation rather than storing up my treasure in heaven.

Kingdom Living

I thank God daily for that friend who asked me the hard question: Who am I?

It was a long journey back to finding my identity in Christ. I repeatedly asked myself: Who was I living for? What was I living for? What did I derive validation from? The answers did not come in real time, nor did they appear as writings on the wall. Over the course of roughly six years, God has been systematically refining me, sanctifying me, and through this, I have learned many, many valuable lessons. But the most precious one? He can only work on me when I am obedient to His conviction and calling.

I am grateful every day because He never gave up on pursuing me, calling me back to live according to His perfect plan. I was reminded:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” – 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

Through years of introspection, reflection, sanctification, and spiritual battles – this blog was born. When He calls me home, I want to stand before Him and say: I took pride in my identity as a daughter of the most High King, and I was obedient to His calling.

We only get one life to live for His glory, and the Bible reminds us: “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:19 (NKJV)

So, who are you living for today?

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