A Defining Sense of Self

I’m not sure when identity confusion became so confused. These days we have identity politics, identity crisis, identity commodities. People are lost, they aren’t sure who they are or where they belong or what they should do. We get a defining sense of self by what brand of clothes we wear, what phone we use, what accusations or grievances we share, and what special coffee we order (even as referenced in the Starbucks scene in “You’ve Got Mail”).

Some of these things could be fun and playful; grouping by preferences has always had a place. But we see that the foundations of identity are showing cracks. The roots are rotten.

This is part of the benefit of the Bible: God reveals who we are. He tells us, reminds us, and delights in us. He loves us. We are image-bearers, we are His people, His sheep, His children, the redeemed, the saints, disciples, Christians, the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, the beloved.

Each of these parts of our identity has relevant ways to embody: we reflect, we gather before, we follow, we depend, we obey, we praise, we love because He first loved us.

And as our heavenly Father does, so parents are a gift to kids to teach the kids who they are. Always be telling your kids who they are. Always be telling your kids what is true. Always be telling your kids that you love them. Always be pointing them to “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).