Biblical Answer

Finding Purpose and Meaning After Losing Identity as a Business Owner

Losing one's identity as a business owner can be a challenging and disorienting experience. It's natural to wonder if one's purpose and meaning in life are still intact. The idea that our identity is deeply tied to our occupation or profession can be a misleading notion. In reality, our true identity is rooted in our relationship with God and our commitment to living out our faith.

As we navigate this transition, it's essential to recognize that our purpose and meaning are not derived from our occupation, but from our relationship with God. This is where the concept of ipse identity, coined by philosopher Paul Ricceur, comes into play. Our identity is not something we can buy or sell, but rather it is a constancy over time that consists in our holding ourselves to certain commitments, roles, or activities. In this case, our commitment to God and our faith is what gives us our true identity. When we lose our business identity, we can update our life plan and continue to hold ourselves to our commitments to God.

In this sense, our purpose and meaning in life are not lost, but rather, they are refined and redirected. We may need to take a new path or update our life plan, but our core commitments remain the same. This is where the sovereignty of God comes into play. God is the one who sustains and governs all creation, including our lives. He is the one who gives us purpose and meaning, and He is the one who helps us navigate life's challenges and transitions. By trusting in God's sovereignty and holding fast to our commitments to Him, we can find purpose and meaning in life, even after losing our identity as a business owner.