I think a lot about Identity.  It seems the more I think about it the more I find a reason to think more about it.

I actually think the world thinks about Identity a lot more than “It” realizes and thus when we are of the world, which we are sometimes, we do then too.  So when we are of the world we think about it one way then when we are of the Spirit we think about it another way (Sounds like Paul doesn’t it ?)  The trick is to be in the Spirit more and more, to see from a heavenly view.  To get to the point in this Identity thing where certain types of experiences change you so deep…. The Identity of the Bible is just you.

Check out this Identity statement from a CNN article on tattoo’s: “In addition, as global mobility leads to the increasing pluralization of society, identity is also being seen as something to be designed rather than inherited.”     The article…

Design in some form or fashion is always the precursor to manufacturing isn’t it ?  The comment hits it on the nose….  Inherit.  You see when I line up all that I have thought about this topic from a theology and spiritual sense, from my experiences “I Inherited” a new identity.  It came from somewhere else outside of me…..  I mean there was some work for me at first, some wrestling with the concepts behind what is Identity, other foundational things.  But then one day an experience happened and things shifted, then another more shift…  What happened ? I heard God the Creator of the universe speak into me about being loved and cherished.  My Identity of  being a Son of God is becoming as real and as natural to me as being an American or a Darling, actually even more so.  So finally I didn’t first design and then manufacture an identity.  A fun aside thought on this, so you are an American, can you really think of a way you really want to hear from Daddy Government ?????  If it did would it say “I Love You” ?  Kind of scary isn’t it LOL  ?  Maybe its just me…

So to recap that, hearing from God changes EVERYTHING.  In and of itself it organically and naturally changes EVERYTHING !!!  More often than not what you will hear will be something about you being loved by the creator of the universe.

I have been watching UFC since BEFORE Wanderlei Silva came onto the world stage with all of the force he could muster.  In the following video listen to his words from the very first sentences out of his mouth…. I was nobody then I all of a sudden had this feeling…   This video is swimming in identity language…

WOW the effort to chase that new identity, BARE FIST.  More WOW on the pain and effort to continue to manufacture that Identity”.  “And some of those injuries are permanent and they will NEVER FULLY HEAL !!!”  I can so relate with my shoulders, my hip replacement, my knees, same root thing, chasing an Identity of being a wreckless fun warrior and “I DIDN’T GET PAID !” 🙂

Then The World (UFC) begins to take that away.  He says “HOW CAN I LIVE ???”  And he looks to the world (his fans) to help bring what he has lost….

A lot of us have had the same lives just not so dramatic and if you haven’t and your Identity is not found in Jesus, just give it some more time.  You see I spent decades manufacturing my own Identity.  Not only do I have physical pains as a result but also some soul ones.  See my Category on Anger…

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

At the root of every temptation in your life is an identity question. – John Stickl