Identity Crisis and Finding Yours

A lot has been on my mind lately. Like you really care, right? But I felt compelled and the need to share with the world. That is what a blog is for. SO, without further hesitation I will come out and say it; "IDENTITY". Everyone has one, or is trying to find theirs. True, you are born as Mr. or Ms. so and so, but it is more than a title or name. It is what you are known as or are trying to be. How do people know us? When we introduce ourselves is it, "I am Ben, and I love beer." Or, "Hi I am Ben and I play music." When people talk to us, are they really interested in us or our hearts, or do they try to use our identity or how they perceive us by our identity?

I work with a few guys that are going to be my example. One guy is a walking piece of art. He has won numerous competitions all up and down the East Coast. He is literally covered from head to toe, literally. He is a super sweet guy, but one thing I notice is that he has a hard time relating to others because of this very insignificant difference. So, when he converses with people, it is always about tattoos generally. It is never any deeper than the many colors of ink that protrudes his epidermis layer. He has a lot going on in his life. I know, I see past the outside and have talked to him. But regardless, when people talk about or mention him, it is always, hey you know Gary, the tattoo guy. It's never, Gary, the guy who would do anything for anyone. Another example is Charlie. He is spunky, contagious, likable, funny, witty, everything a person would have that draws people in. He is a singer in a cover band. I won't give my opinion of that, but none the less, he is found in that identity. It is all about our popular they are, how many shows, where they are playing next, how much they are making, etc... So when people talk to him it is all about the band never about the person. I am sure he loves that, the ego is a powerful thing. But, it is easier to mask pain, suffering, the real person in this mask of identity that we form.

So my point in all of this, what I have been pondering and wrestling with, is this. Why do we do this? I am speaking to the choir mainly. As Christians, we are to find our identity in Christ and Christ alone right?? So why is it that we find ourselves doing the opposite sometimes?? And for non believers, the same. If we are cross centered in our hearts and lives, we are able to be assured that no matter what circumstance, Jesus has our back. When we are walking in accordance with Him, then we have peace, clarity, and power. Not on our own, but through Him. Friends come and go, business opportunities, relationships, but if we are not finding purpose and identity in Christ, then we have nothing even if everything else is kosher. So just analyze your heart, your circumstance, your acquaintances and relationships. Make sure that people don't know you or me as "the musician", or "the funny guy", or "the tattoo guy". It is better to have no friends at all if you're friends are not aware of your true identity and nature.

Peace and Grace
B.