21/03/2026
Becoming Someone… or Belonging to God
There is something happening in our generation that is particularly visible in Mauritius, even if we do not always recognise it for what it truly is. The world has quietly but powerfully redefined what it means to “be someone.”
In our local context, being someone is not only about success; it is about reputation, about being known, about having a name that carries weight in the right circles. It is about being recognised in business, being respected in society, being someone people refer to, someone whose presence matters.
Without realising it, many of us have embraced this pursuit as normal, even necessary. In a country like ours, where relationships, visibility, and social perception play such an important role, this desire becomes deeply rooted. We build businesses not only to provide or to create value, but also to establish ourselves. We want credibility, recognition, and influence. We want to be invited, to be consulted, to be acknowledged as leaders. And as this begins to happen, it gives us a sense of worth. It makes us feel established, and somewhere deep within, we begin to feel that we have finally become someone.
At first glance, there seems to be nothing wrong with this. It even appears responsible and legitimate. But the moment we claim to follow Christ, we are no longer allowed to define things the same way. This is where the discomfort begins, because this pursuit is not neutral. It touches directly on the foundation of our faith and our identity.
Jesus never called us to become someone in the eyes of society. He called us to deny ourselves. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) This is not a symbolic or optional statement; it is the condition of discipleship. Yet in our context, where being known and established is highly valued, this call confronts something deep within us. The world around us, including our business environment, encourages us to build our name, to secure our position, and to grow our influence. But Christ calls us to surrender our lives, to submit our ambitions, and to follow Him in obedience. These two directions are not aligned, and yet many are trying to walk both paths at the same time.
The shift does not happen suddenly. It begins quietly, almost unnoticed. We start with good intentions. We want to provide for our families, to build something meaningful, to create stability. These are not wrong desires. But gradually, success begins to shape our identity. In Mauritius, where visibility spreads quickly and reputation travels fast, this influence becomes even stronger. People begin to know you, to speak about you, to refer you, and slowly, that recognition starts to matter more than it should. Without realising it, we begin to measure our worth by our results, our growth, and our position.
The problem is not success itself. There is nothing wrong with building, growing, or prospering. But when success becomes your identity, it inevitably becomes your master. Jesus was very clear when He said, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24) This is not about balance; it is about allegiance. One will shape your decisions, your priorities, and your compromises.
In the Mauritian business environment, this becomes particularly evident because of the pressures we face. The cost of living, the expectations of family, the responsibility towards employees, the competition within a limited market, and the need to remain relevant all create a real and constant pressure. These pressures are not imaginary, and they are not small. But under their weight, something begins to shift. Decisions are no longer made purely from a place of obedience to God, but from the necessity to sustain, to grow, and to secure.
Compromise rarely presents itself as compromise. It presents itself as wisdom, as strategy, as practicality. We begin to accept certain ways of doing business because “this is how things work.” We align ourselves with people or practices we would have once questioned. We justify choices for the sake of progress. And all of this happens gradually, without a clear moment where we feel we have turned away from God.
Yet something is lost. Not necessarily our belief in Him, but our surrender to Him.
Jesus warned us about this when He said, “The worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22) This is a very accurate description of what we see today. It is not persecution that is pulling many believers away; it is pressure, opportunity, and the desire for stability and success. The Word of God remains present, but it no longer governs the life.
Scripture speaks about this reality with clarity that is difficult to ignore. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world… If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15) And even more directly, “Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4) These are not abstract theological statements; they speak directly into our daily decisions, our business practices, and our ambitions.
In a place like Mauritius, it is entirely possible to be respected in society, established in business, and yet slowly drifting away from God. You may still attend church, still speak the language of faith, but your decisions are no longer governed by obedience. They are governed by what works, what benefits you, and what secures your position. And this is where the danger becomes real, because you can become someone in the eyes of people while losing your identity in Christ.
Jesus asked a question that remains as relevant today as it was then: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) In our context, this question becomes very practical. What is the value of building a respected name in Mauritius, of growing your business, of securing your financial future, if in the process you lose your obedience to God, your intimacy with Him, and your true identity?
At the heart of this issue is identity. We were never called to be someone in society. We were called to belong to Christ. Our identity is not defined by our title, our business, or our reputation, but by our relationship with Him. Jesus established the order clearly when He said, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Yet many of us have reversed this order, seeking success, security, and recognition first, and then trying to include God within what we are building.
But the Kingdom does not function that way. God is not an addition to our plans; He is meant to be the foundation of them.
This is not a message of condemnation, but a call to return. It is a call to those who feel the pressure, to those who have slowly adjusted their standards, and to those who are trying to balance both God and the world. It is a call to realign, to come back to a place where God leads and we follow, where obedience matters more than outcome, and where our identity is no longer shaped by society but by Christ.
Because in the end, becoming someone in this world will not last. Reputation can change, markets can shift, and recognition can fade. But belonging to Christ is eternal, and when that becomes the foundation of your life, everything else finds its rightful place.
If this message resonates with you, then you already sense that we were not meant to walk this journey alone. The tension between business and faith is real, and in today’s world, it is becoming harder to stand firm without the right support, guidance, and fellowship.
That is why ICCCM exists. A community of Christian business leaders committed to honouring God in the marketplace—walking in integrity, accountability, and spiritual alignment, while navigating real business pressures.
If you desire to grow, to stay grounded, and to build without compromising your faith, then I encourage you to join us. Let us walk this path together—not just to succeed, but to remain faithful.
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