Identity

If you live in an apartment in a busy town – and look down from the balcony of your unit, you see people are walking into each other and hurrying to do something.

I am interested to see what will happen in the next 50 years from now. Our life is changing dramatically. Artifactual intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things(IoT) will be ordinary, and Electric cars are already hitting the markets. The machines are taking over human tasks. Those are exciting news for most of us. With all these new technologies, we are still struggling with our IDENTITY. 

If I give a blank page and tell you, please draw’ the identity’ for me; what will you draw? 

The oxford definition of Identity is “The fact of being who or what a person or thing is”

The Bible definition of Identity is “We are made in the image of God “, As I brought to you in my previous post. God breathed His life into us – then the simple meaning of who we are will articulate in who HE IS. So, Our core being is not defined by the things or affected outwardly. We may see it on the surface, but heaven’s connection shapes our inner status. That is why so many of the new younger generation are struggling to find themselves, and they look outside, look and love to be seen, desiring to have always new and shiny things. There is nothing shady to have a big dream. 

We see Identity as not something that recently comes up like a mushroom; we had this issue in Jesus’ time. There was a man called Matthew whose job was collecting tax for the government. He had access to the treasure and money; perhaps He knew the meaning of having a lot of money and sometimes unfairly collecting tax more than expected. In between, He heard Jesus came into his town, and it was the best time for him to look the life from a different angle. Matthew, A short guy, went above a tree with his expensive outfit to find his Identity. He did not care this time. Perhaps there is a Man in the town, can answer all his questions. Although Jesus, ‘the master of freeing people’, was there to bring his Identity back. Jesus’ presence was enough for Matthew to enlighten his heart. Matthew brought back Home. Then, he suddenly realised and asked this question of himself; ‘What I have been doing whole my life? Money!!! I give back four times more for those I unfairly treat them.’

Our Identity is not in the things. No, even, it is not in another person. Nothing wrong with having the stuff of life; the question comes with loving the things. Our Identity is in Galatians 5: 22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Heaven is our Identity.

Lose your life to Jesus, and you’ll find your Identity. Lose your life to Him means to be in connection with Him. Means walk in his way, coming back to Him, even we may make a mistake – but coming back to him with a repentant heart. Where do we find our Identity? At Jesus’ feet!

Comment – what’s your definition of Identity. 

Written by Dariush Youkhaneh