Identity
To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12)
For all of us, identity is important; it is inescapable and central to our lives. We all ask, “who am I, what’s my place in the world?” Tied in with this drive for identity is the need for love and acceptance, and a meaning and purpose to life. That’s why many people, Christians included, spend so much time and energy to discover who they are: their identity.
Consider a small 3-year-old boy, skipping down the imposing corridors and rooms of the White House. Armed soldiers, the best of the best, take no notice of the child who runs past their assigned posts. The boy passes high-level staff members on his way, again they take no notice except for the occasional smile. Passing the secretary’s desk, the little boy doesn’t acknowledge her wave, intent on his goal.
In front of the final large door stands another armed sentry. But the guards make no movement to hinder his progress, the little boy opens the door and goes inside.
With a grin he runs across the carpet in the Oval Office and jumps on the lap of the most powerful man in the world. Those present continue to discuss state business as President Kennedy and his son, John exchange morning hugs. The President loved to include his children in his day, even when it concerned the safety of the entire world.
It struck me on hearing this story of the most powerful man and the little boy who could stroll past staff members and armed guards and bound into his father’s arms.
Could you imagine someone objecting, saying “Do you know you just can’t come in here when you want, and sit on his lap! Who do you think you are?” John would look up and say, “He’s my daddy!” John knew who his father was.
It’s not always easy for people who think God is seeing them like this to apply verses like Hebrews 4.16: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
We are bombarded with issues of identity on social media, television, and in magazines; how we should look and be seen. But in God’s eyes we are made in his image, the apple of his eye, and we are all beautiful.
Blessings Rick
(Team vicar)