Identity

Most of us know who we are. We have a name, place of birth and gender. We are often asked for these bits of information whenever we have to fill out forms. We also need a birth date and here in the United States; a social security number. It might be a form for a job application, travel documents, or school registration. When we are young a parent or guardian fills out this identity information for us. When we older we learn to fill out this information for ourselves.

Recently, I was filling out forms to verify my identity. I also needed to have my fingerprints recorded in order to confirm the unique identity that sets me apart of everyone else on the planet and make travel more efficient.

Yet, at the same time I was filling out forms and placing my fingertips on a screen to scan, my mind was unsure of who I really was. Don’t worry I wasn’t have mental confusion or crisis. And no, I was not adopted. I had just found out additional information about my family of origin that I had never heard before that left me wondering about my life’s narrative.

This information was not what I had expected to hear at the time, and it left me wondering why I felt so insecure upon hearing it. I think it is because we create this identity of ourselves based upon what we are told and what we experience. It gives us security, at least it did for me, in knowing my unique place in this world. We adopt the narrative that we are told, without raising questions. We grow comfortable with the story of our lives, even when the stories aren’t always pretty or without pain. It is our story. And we accept it.

Until, we hear a new narrative. Then, what do we do with that? Do we let it upset us? Do we let it change our perception of others, or even of ourselves? We could and no one would fault us for doing so. But, what if we could just grab hold of who we know we are? Or of what God says of us? What if we measure and write our life narrative from God’s view and not the world’s? Surely we are more than just names, dates, and numbers. We are loved by God and called His own creation.

He is the one who created our uniqueness. Our fingerprints demonstrate this as well as our physical attributes. We are uniquely what He has determined. We might not understand the circumstances that brought about our existence, but it was part of God’s narrative for us. This is who we are.

A favorite verse of mine reads; “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5) God knows me and this is my identity. Another favorite is from the Psalms; “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (Psalm 139:16, NLT).

These are great verses to meditate upon whenever someone tries to change your narrative and shake up your identity. It’s all God’s narrative anyway. – God Bless You – Nancy