Who are you? What do you answer when people ask that simple question? I guess the most common response would be to give my name or describe my family relationships, my job, my responsibilities in the church. But who am I really?
Identity is the root to turning us from turmoil, despair and hopelessness to a place of security and satisfaction, even to peace of mind and soul. In the 21st century, there is a real problem with identity. One of the major problems faced by young people today is understanding their identity and finding out who they really are and how they fit into the world. An understanding of self is important to gain self-respect and improve self-image, otherwise we can see problems of addiction, withdrawal, depression and self-harm.
Do you feel that you can’t be the person you want to be because of something that happened to you in your past? I don’t know if you are familiar with the Disney movie “The Lion King”, but I love the part where Simba the lion is talking to Rafiki the baboon. Simba has just had a vision of his father Mufasa telling him to remember who he is, and that he is Mufasa’s son. Simba says that if he goes back to take up his position he will have to face the past he has been running away from. Rafiki hits him on the head with a stick:
Simba: Ow! What was that for?
Rafiki: It doesn't matter. It's in the past. [laughs]
Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.
Difficult times in life can seem very hard to endure and we can often find ourselves wishing they would pass – but often, the end result of the pain is that we can move on and come out of the situation a better person.
True peace comes from knowing who you are and being “comfortable in your own skin”. What is our identity? We are children of God. If we know this and remember it, we can find peace in the turmoil of our lives.
God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him. Romans 8: 16-17 [CEV]
Lord, fill us with your peace which comes from knowing you and knowing ourselves. Amen
