Pastor's Pen 1st February "Who am I?"

A few years ago (maybe a fair few years ago) a television game show called “Sale of the Century” included a number of questions that started with the words “Who am I?”. The host would then begin revealing facts from a notable person’s life including date of birth, place of birth and a progression of achievements or circumstances from that person’s life. The contestants would jump in when they believed they had enough information to correctly identify the person.

The question highlights how we identify people. Background, achievements and circumstances of their life; all these variables serve to form our perception of a person’s identity. But when we seriously consider that question personally, “who am I?”, we can sometimes be conflicted in our response. Sure we know our background, our achievements and the circumstances of our life far better than anyone else. But this can give rise to conflict, as we compare our experiences with our expectations and either judge ourselves too harshly or alternatively not take seriously enough our glaring character flaws.

These assessments we make about ourselves are often measured against what the world considers to be acceptable or noteworthy. But for the follower of Jesus, one’s identity is not governed so much with achievements or background but is grounded and strengthened in the new beginning each believer has been gifted in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and now our Lord (or King).

The Apostle Paul, in Philippians highlights the glaring inadequacies of his human pedigree, who, though possessing great background and achievements came to an understanding and said of these identifying factors, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” (Phil 3:7 NLT) Paul goes on to explain that His whole goal in life then became about knowing Christ and being “found in Him” (v9).

It remains an important exercise to ask ourselves “who am I?” yet the response must be gravitating more and more towards boasting in what Jesus has done and becoming less reliant on what I have done, whether good or bad. “Who am I?” I am a child of God!