HELP WHO AM I – MY IDENTITY

Over the years I have found myself thinking a lot about my identity, I know that may sound strange to some people but allow me shed some more light especially in our contemporary cultural context where society is trying to fit people into a box, whether by race, gender, social status, geographical origins, etc. I am intrigued by the whole concept of identity as it has become a topical issue in our generation, given the plethora of articles on the subject and the ramifications of the shift in its definition in the world around us.

Definition.
In the dictionary, identity is defined as “the fact of being who or what a person or thing is”, sounds simple enough, but as I ponder I realise that there is a lot more to this simple statement when you relate it to human beings. Human beings are a lot more complex and each individual is unique with distinctive experiences. Another definition of taking the social aspect into consideration is shown in the image below.

Looking at the definition above, it soon becomes apparent that there is much more to a person’s identity than meets the eye. Identity in its purest form can give a healthy sense of pride and belonging. Synonyms that are used for the word identity include name, specification, identification, recognition, singling out, picking out, pinpointing, placing, discerning, distinguishing etc.

Looking at the synonyms it also occurs to me that an individual’s identity is critical to been able to recognise them, and if understood properly it can actually be used for the wider good in our world.
It can go pear-shaped when it is used in a dangerous manner e.g. The atrocities Hitler committed through the Jewish Holocaust, Apartheid in South Africa as a result of race, etc.

My identity as a Christian
As a practising Christian, I have found that I have struggled with understanding and living out my identity in the world, as external and internal pressures weigh in on my resolve to ensure that Christ is the sole source of my identity. I want to share a personal story with you that brought this to the fore for me.

My Story – Crisis Point
Many years ago, I lost a job that I totally loved and I was shocked at the impact it had on me especially as I had always thought my identity is in Christ not in what I do. Reflecting on that experience I realise that there was a huge dichotomy between what I professed and what I believed inwardly. I remember waiting for a bus as I no longer had my company car and feeling utterly embarrassed that I was at the bus stop. This you would agree with me showed just how faulty my thinking had become about my identity. The period of loss was a wonderful time of growth which led me to revisit the foundations of what I really believed, I had bought into a lie that I AM WHAT I DO and the loss of that job had shown just how much my value had been wrapped up in that job. Now I know I AM NOT WHAT I DO and my value is completely defined by WHOSE I AM. It took me over a year to get over my job loss and I realised inadvertently that my job had become an idol and identity.

Learning Journey
God loves to bless us with good gifts and a wonderful job is a gift from Him but when we base our identity on our job we end up being at the vagaries of transient things, valued when the job is going well and rejected when it is not going well. When an identity is in a job, who are you without your job? Are you less valuable in a job and less valuable without a job? If your identity is in your job, you could end up with feelings of inferiority or superiority depending on the context, thinking you are less than or better than others and the only way that will end is pride and a downfall. We need to be careful that our identity is not based on other ephemeral things such as our social status, looks, people’s opinions of me, possessions, accomplishments, successes, failures etc. I am learning that regardless of transient things, my identity is in Christ and I am valuable because of the price that was paid for me at the cross, not because of what I have. I have found this so liberating and it helps me put my successes and failures in the right place.

Jesus, My True Identity
I am learning that my identity is derived from WHOSE I AM, HE alone defines my value and significance. We need to ensure that the parts of our identity that we hold so dear are the ones that matter to Him and have eternal and divine significance, not external appearances aimed at impressing others.

Let us be defined by His love for us and others
Living out our lives in a way where there is congruence between our internal convictions and professed beliefs, where the things that matter to Him matter to us. Serving others and humanity rather than seeking to be served and acquiring possessions at the expense of others. Let’s build with an eye on eternity using all His blessings to us for the benefit of others.

As I contemplate our identity in Christ, I realise it is steeped in God who created us, our value is determined by the price that was paid for us, whilst our salvation is a free gift it is expensive. As image bearers, we are called to live out a life fulfilling God’s purpose on earth. The more closely we walk with Him, the more we know him and discover who we are destined to be.

An Important Question for you to answer
When all is stripped away WHO ARE YOU REALLY? The answer to this question when fully contemplated in light of our identity in Christ could lead you to liberty and freedom like you have never experienced, positioning you to fulfil God’s plans and purposes for you in its fullness.
As I round off, want you to mull over the following six scriptures, they have helped and continue to help me remember that I AM NOT WHAT I DO AND I AM NOT WHAT I HAVE, MY VALUE IS IN CHRIST.

But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit – 1 Corinthians 6:17 New International Version (NIV)
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 New International Version (NIV)

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God John 1:12 New International Version (NIV)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 New International Version (NIV)

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1 New International Version (NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things Colossians 3:1-2 New International Version (NIV).