Written by Whitney Dixon
I think many of us are suffering from an identity crisis.The dilemma is that so many don’t even realize there is a problem. Many features make up a person’s identity, or so we tend to think. But what is it that really creates a sense of self?
It seems that we have not only our perception of ourselves, but also a particular way we want others to perceive us, and we do our best to shape the perception others have of us, whether consciously or unconsciously.
Take a moment and think about how you see yourself and how you portray yourself to others. What do you find yourself wanting others to know about you?
Maybe it is the music you listen to or the concerts you attend. Or maybe you are always on the lookout for the next fashion trend to impress your friends. Maybe you work hard to create just the right persona through the tweets you tweet, the Facebook statuses you post and the blog posts you write.
Maybe your identity is wrapped up in your major. What you study defines who you are, and the career you are preparing for will one day define you as well.
Or maybe it’s that jersey you’re sporting as you read this article. Are you wearing it loud and proud? Is it that association with a particular groupof people that gives you value?
Perhaps it’s the significant other on your armthat makes you who you are. The fact that that particular person chose you gives you your worth.
Do these examples seem superficial to you? I hope that they do. But then again, I’ve fallen into these traps myself — more times than I would care to admit. Maybe you find yourself in one ofthese traps right now.
The thing we need to realize is that all of theseparts of our lives will fade. If these things are the foundation that your identity as a person is built on, what are you going to do when they are gone? When your grandkids make fun of your music, when your sweetheart is no longer as attractive as he or she once was, when you are retired and can no longer do all the things you once loved — what will your life mean?
The problem with the search for identity is that it tends to be self-focused with regard to trivialaspects of life. But the truth is that those things don’t matter in the long run. We are part of a larger community. But more importantly, we’re a part of the body of Christ.
Christ calls us to give of ourselves. Even he, the Creator of the universe, humbled himself. Philippians 2:7-8 says that he “emptied himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. … He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Jesus did not revel in his personal identity, but instead poured himself out in service to others. If the Son of God didn’t strive to present himself in just the right way, why should we? He was confident in the Father, and thus was able to serve others out of love rather than focusing on himself. So why should we be so concerned about what others think, when instead we can be confident of who we are in Christ, and use our energies to glorify Him in all we do?
The seasons of our lives come and go, and many of the things that are important to us today will slowly fade away. Will you choose to root your identity in the one thing that will last forever?
Where does your identity lie?
