Daniel Im - You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love

Daniel Im is one of our generations innovative and strategic thinkers, one of Gods gifts to the kingdom in our era. In a culture that is transfixed with the power of helping ourselves, this book offers a different alternativeone rooted in the imago dei and the gospel. This is a helpful, thoughtful, inspiring book with a timely message.

J.D. Greear, pastor, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina, and author of Above All

This book will hit close to home. Daniel Ims incisive cultural analysis is more than a big-picture overview of massive structural shifts. Its an unflinching look at the way those shifts have changed our perception of ourselves, the world, and God. And his answer to these shifts is, thankfully, full of grace and truth. You Are What You Do is both a brutal excavation of our deepest assumptions and a healing balm for what ails us. I needed this book, and it came at just the right moment.

Richard Clark, podcast producer, host, and manager with Christianity Today

Hustling... side gigging... cross-fitting? Finding meaning in what you do or own or who you know? Minus the cross-fitting, this book felt like it was written just for me. Resist the lies and follow Christ. Daniel Im nailed it in You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies About Work, Life, and Love .

Scarlet Hiltibidal, author of Afraid of All the Things

While these lies might seem harmless, Ive seen the destruction and chaos that ensues when you live according to them. So do yourself a favor and read this booknot just for your sake, but for the health of everyone around you.

Ed Stetzer, Wheaton College

In this book Daniel Im gives us a helpful and timely reminder of the joy that comes from living in response to already being approved, already belonging, and already being loved because of the good news of Jesus. We dont have to achieve our identity; we can happily receive from the only One who can truly satisfy us.

Eric Geiger, senior pastor Mariners Church

Its not just technology and culture thats changing, technology and culture are changing us too. In You Are What You Do , Daniel Im unpacks some important lies about who we are, our true identity and where our value comes from. Getting the truth right now is one of the most important things you can do to get ready for the future.

Carey Nieuwhof, founding pastor, Connexus Church and author of Didnt See It Coming

The natural inclination of the human heart is to seek meaning, purpose, and identity in ways that diminish us more than they build us up. For some of us, we look for identity in our work. For others of us, its our relationships, our knowledge, our experiences, our good name, or any number of other things. In each instance, and as the old adage goes, we are barking up the wrong tree. In the end, none of these things will deliver on the promises they make to us. Meanwhile, the Lord says to us, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. And it is from that place of rest that he heals us with reminders that his love is fixed, that there is nothing we can do to lose it, and our identity is that of beloved daughters and sons. It turns out, as Daniel reminds us so effectively in this book, that we arent what we do. Rather, we are who God says we are, and that is more than enough.

Scott Sauls, senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church and author of several books, including Jesus Outside the Lines and Irresistible Faith

You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love is a bold book that powerfully tells you the truth about yourself. Daniel Im has identified the most common lies we tell ourselves, explains the unspeakable damage they do and counters them with the truth that God speaks to us. If you have ever felt defeated, stuck, or afraidthis book can set you free!

Dave Ferguson, author of Hero Maker: Five Essential Practices for Leaders to Multiply Leaders

Daniels writing is an important message for anyone who is struggling to identify where their worth comes from. In a culture that places so much importance on productivity, experience, and success, Im reminds us that our identity is found in Jesus life giving sacrifice on the cross. Thats a message Ill never get tired of hearing!

Jonathan JP Pokluda, author of Welcome to Adulting and lead pastor of Harris Creek in Waco, TX

Daniel has penned a unique view of the world and some of our common responses to it. In doing so, he exposes some lies which can easily distract all of us and then helps us with a proper and biblical perspective to address them. This book is a much needed pause and a reminder of what matters most in life. I highly recommend it.

Ron Edmondson, CEO, Leadership Network and author of The Mythical Leader

Daniel Ims newest book, You Are What You Do , is a powerful tool for addressing how todays complex society can leave us misdirected, unfulfilled, and shamedeven when we appear successful! Weaving together current research, personal vulnerability and fresh insights from Scripture, I found this a refreshing and hopeful message for all generations. I will be handing this book out A LOT!

Kadi Cole, leadership consultant, executive coach, and author of Developing Female Leaders

Copyright 2020 by Daniel Im

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

978-1-5359-4398-7

Published by B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 248.84

Subject Heading: CHRISTIAN LIFE / SELF-PERCEPTION / SELF-REALIZATION

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Also used: The Message ( msg ), copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson.

Also used: Holman Christian Standard Bible ( hcsb ), copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Faceout Studio, Derek Thornton. Author photo by Christina Im.

Speaker photo by Jason Stoik.

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To Christina, thank you for being the first one to remind me that I am not what I do.

Acknowledgments

I am not a self-made man. Theres not one single accomplishment that I can take 100 percent of the credit for. In fact, if it werent for the people that Im about to acknowledge, this book wouldnt be what it is. So heres my attempt at tracing the threads of this book back to the people who have most directly influenced it.

To Taylor Combs and Devin Maddox, thank you for nudging me to write this book. If you hadnt sent me that text message after listening to my talk on the gig economy a couple years ago in Atlanta, I would have never even thought to tackle a project like this. Taylor, thank you for helping shape this book into what it is and for caring about this book as much as meyoure legit bro. And to the incredible team at B&H Publishing, thank you for believing in me and for your partnership on this book. Youre proof that there is no such thing as a solo author.

To everyone who listened to my early musings about this book, thank you. Jeremy Maxfield, when are you going to realize that God is calling you to Canada to serve with me? Dave Schroeder, I dont know if Ive ever met a nicer Merican. Todd Adkins, I miss our white board sessions. Kevin Peck, thanks for taking a random call from some Canadian almost a decade ago. And Ed Stetzer, despite the fact that you never gave me that luggage back, youre incredibly generous as a leader, mentor, and friend.