I want this blog to be interactive. This first blog God has laid on my heart to write is so broad that much can be said and written on this topic but before I give my own conclusion with my understanding of what the scriptures say and teach, I want to hear from you. Will you please respond to the questions I pose and then within the next week or two I will write more and answer any questions you may have!
Identity
Who am I?
The other day my wife came home and told me an absolutely bizarre thing she heard. There was this young girl (age fire or six) who asked her mentor, “Am I black or Beautiful”? At the core of this question are three fundamental matters:
One, am I good enough as a being?
Two, is there a place for me in this world?
Three, does my life matter and does it have a meaning/purpose?
Unfortunately in this young girl’s mind “Blackness” is associated as being ugly, unacceptable, having no place, and not being good enough. What is even more heart breaking is the answer the mentor gave this young girl. The young girl was dealing with an identity crisis, and instead of re affirming her by saying “You are black and beautiful”, the mentor responded by saying “No, honey, you are brown.” When my wife told me this, I wanted to scream “NO” that is not want she was asking, and that is not what she needed to hear! What do you think this did to this young girl? Do you think it affirmed her as a person? Do you think she walked away from the conversation, saying “Yes, I am beautiful just the way I am! I am certain she walked away with more confusion and brokenness.
How many of us in our own lives struggle with these core questions. How many of us look into the mirror at our flaw/s and ask ourselves: do I measure up to the standard of the world; i.e. the portrayal of what a beautiful woman and handsome man is supposed to look like? Do I really matter? Is there a purpose for me in life? If you honestly answer these questions, more often than not we all struggle with negative self image and identify. We live in a culture and society that screams at us from every angle to conform
So, let me ask you a question: “Who are you?” If all the superficiality is taken away, and if all of the competing things of the world that constantly tug at you to lure you into a box, who would you say you are? What is the driving force of your life? How would you describe yourself as a person? What is the first word that comes to your mind, when asked this fundamental question, “Who are you?” I am absolutely convinced that, when you can answer this core question you are on your way to live a more fulfilled and free life. The answer to this question will absolutely give you the freedom in life to live out your destiny, because if you know unerringly who you are then: the lies, the temptation, and the deception of Satan, the world and the flesh would never be able to deter you from pursing God’s best for your life.
Pastor Ebassa Berhanu
RSS Feed