Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 18:1-16, 19:1-10 (day five)
One of the biggest tasks of adolescence is the formation of identity. Parents, grandparents, peers, and the church all can play a role in this process. The danger is that if identity is formed apart from a biblical worldview, the individual can be unhealthy both emotionally and relationally. Sound like anyone in this week’s Re:Verse? Saul’s identity has been formed by his strong desire to have the approval of men over the approval of God. See 1 Samuel 18: 8-9. Actually, the issue is not just with teenagers. It can be an adult problem too. Let me offer a few perspectives that should daily shape the identities of teens and adults who are believers:
God is all brilliant and all powerful and thus all He does is right and good.
The way God designed me perfectly fits His plans and purposes for me.
I have the mind of Christ.
I am strong in Christ.
I am not alone.
By God’s grace, I am royalty and will reign with Him some day.
Good topic to explore. Our character, philosophy, values and belief define our identity. Who am I as I see myself? Who am I as those who are close to me see me? Who am I as my friends see me? Who am I as my colleagues see me? Who am I as other Christians see me?
Who am I when I have everything in life? Who am I when I have nothing left? Who am I when all the opportunity doors close behind me and before me? Who am I when God is in me? Who am I when God’s spirit leaves me?
We may have different identity when our situations change or when our values and belief change. When we change, our identity also changes. Conflict occurs when you think who you are is not what others think who you are. Most often, people may see you differently than you see yourself.
Do you care when people see you differently than you see yourself? I think we think we know ourselves best but God knows us best. He created us in His own image so it matters how God sees us. Viewing ourselves as God sees us matters! How God sees us will defines who we are as Christians.
How do you define identity? How do you see who you are? How do others see you? Have your identity changed overtime, from childhood to adolescence, from success to failure in spiritual life? Whom do you walk with on a daily basis, more with men or more with Christ? Have you ever asked the question, “who am I”?
I ask the question, Who Am I, often as it helps shape and reshape my direction in organizational life, personal life, and spiritual life.
I thought this article, Who Am I? A New Way to Define Identity, is helpful in aiding to our understanding on identity.
https://www.cru.org/us/en/blog/life-and-relationships/identity/who-am-i-a-new-way-to-define-identity.html
If we are in Christ and Christ is in us, we will be seen as true Christians. I am convinced!