2nd June 2022
Who am I?
Figuring out who we are is something everyone has to go through. Some are fortunate to have parents or mentors to help them with the process, but many have to do it on their own. We used to hear about people going away for a while to “find themselves.” I’m not sure anyone does that anymore and I’m not sure how they went about it, but I suppose everyone eventually does figure out who they are.
I read a great novel called Chasing Fireflies, by Charles Martin, about a young man who discovers he’s not who he thought he was. I won’t give away the story, but at one point on his journey, he realized a better question than who am I? is whose am I? He said, “Identity does not grow out of action until it has taken root in belonging.”
In this world where we all want to belong, many haven’t answered the second question and as a result, latch on to various groups or affiliations in an effort to be part of something, to feel a sense of belonging and of being included – to establish their identity. This is putting the proverbial cart before the horse. Until we know who we belong to, we won’t know who we really are.
If you’re a Christian, the answer is easy – we belong to Christ. We can have no stronger or better sense of belonging and inclusion than we have in him. And when we know whose we are, we find out who we are – loved, saved, redeemed and ready for action.
Study by Tammy Tkach
First published on 17 May 2022, at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
About the writer:
Tammy Tkach is the Assistant Pastor of the Eugene, Oregon, USA congregation, and is the wife of former Grace Communion International President, Joseph Tkach. She is a speaker and writer, and publishes a blog at www.gemsofgodsgrace.wordpress.com
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