What is Identity?
According to Merriam-Webster definition: (I presented here only the 3 most relevant for the topic that I wish to elaborate further.)
1a: the distinguishing character or personality of an individual : INDIVIDUALITY b: the relation established by psychological identification
2: the condition of being the same with something described or asserted establish the identity of stolen goods
3a: sameness of essential or generic character in different instances b: sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing : ONENESS
What we see most in society today, is the prevalence of psychological identification. We are bombarded on a daily basis with messages of how for instance success is determined by, social status, job titles, possessions, outer looks and some aspects of our personality. With that, it is not hard to see individuals tying up their identity with those values dictated by society. As such, it endangers individuality because many are abiding by that notion.
Another important facet is the vulnerability of having your identity tied up to something so passing, but also how little it has to do with the basis of your moral character.
I remember an incident that happened in an organization I have worked for long ago; and I was quite new in the company, having over 100 employees, was hard to know at the beginning who was who and what their roles were. So in those days I was a smoker and went for a cigarette break, where I met one of my work colleagues whom I was still to get to know. By the way he was dressed, quite formally in a suit, I asked him if he was in sales. To my surprise, the pleasantries ended right after that question. In months to come he always seemed to avoid contact. Later I found out that he was the VP blah blah sales.
No disrespect to his achievement, but it just showed the lack of humility from his side. At that point in my life, I was already living by the motto that who I am is not what I do, as I can do many things if I put my head to it and many things I cannot do and don't want to do, but that says nothing about who I am and only about my capabilities or wishes.
"Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 1-Timothy 6:17 NASB
Last Sunday Pastor Michael Jebb from River Amsterdam Church, did a great preaching on having " a more than conquerors' mentality" and one of the topics he described was named after a title from a book from Stephen Covey which is "Begin with the end in mind". If you were to look at your retirement? What is your identity tied up to?
How would you like to be remembered? How would you like to remember yourself?
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.“ Romans 8:37
Beginning with the end in mind, helps us to make better choices today. The world can be quite cruel with its harsh expectations, creating this wrong idea that we need to compare ourselves with others who have seemingly got it all?!! But God invites us to the truth which is: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
Consider your identity, your values, but also take into account the incredible life and purpose that you could have if only you allow yourself to be the fullest of you as God created you to be. Don't harden your hearts when you hear the mention of His name, instead let your soul create wings and explore the end in which He provides more than riches...
2 Corinthians 5:17~ “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
God bless you!
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