Is gaining a new Identity, the point of your story?
When I was in 6th grade, my behavior was an issue. So much, that apparently, I made my teacher cry. I don’t recall anything specific that took place that made my teacher cry. I don’t even recall ever seeing my teacher actually cry. I only found out that I made her cry, many years later. My friend, who became a teacher ended up in a discussion with her. In that discussion, she asked my friend, who he still kept in touch with from our class. My name came up, and she then told him, how I made her cry.
What I do remember about that time frame was being removed from that teacher’s class. My favorite teacher, Ms. Remo, approached me. She asked me if I would like to be moved to her class? I was super thrilled. I loved Ms. Remo. During that discussion, I do recall Ms. Remo talking to me about my behavior. Because I liked her, I always listened to her. Or for a better descriptor, I behaved for her. In addition to being moved to Ms. Remo’s class, she had another offering for me.
Up until that moment, I went by Phillip. My Mom called me Phillip; my family called me Phillip. Phillip is my full name, and Phillip is what I was always called by everyone. Ms. Remo had an idea. What if we gave Phillip, a new Identity? She said, “What if we called you Phil?” “Would you like that?” I did! I did really like that! After immediately accepting her idea, I recall a short discussion with Ms. Remo, revolving around the idea that we were giving me a new identity. I was now “Phil”. That was 41 years ago.
Fast Forward to 2016 and I am on a blog trying to fix my sex life in my marriage by reading and watching what’s going on in this Christian blog space.
BIG NOTE:
I don’t recommend this path! Fixing your sex life first is not the answer. Fixing your marriage first! – is the answer. – See Romans 8
The topic that day on the blog by a guest poster was, “Is Sex Addiction really a disease?” I had been wrestling with this same question and so I piped up and began to participate in the conversation in the comment section. The debate with the author lead to this question that was not part of the conversation. “What is your Identity in Christ?” Well, now if I am honest, this was not part of the topic, and it felt more like a clonk on the head, and rhetoric telling me to get lost, rather than on invitation to embrace Christ. I however, gave the standard answer….Christ is my savior blah blah blah and then proceeded to investigate; What does “What is your Identity in Christ?” really mean? I talked it out with friends, I researched it and I even got a book on it. In my search, I was convicted. In my search, I found Jesus. In my search, God gave me a new identity.
Today my Identity is:
Jesus Lover
Loving Husband
Loving Father
I am a man who stands up for women and equality for ALL – Women First.
What’s the point of these two short stories? Spiritual Growth is the point. It starts out as a mustard seed. Where do we go from there? Do you have just a little bit of Jesus in you? Do you think that’s enough? Do you go to church on Sunday and call that good? Or, do you take Him home with you and live with Him during the week? Do you do what the Scripture says for Him? Do you Spread the Word for others? What do you do for Jesus?
Jesus Doesn’t Call us to Be Perfect. Jesus Calls us to be Intentional.
James 1:25 NIV
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that forgives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do.
Here I sit almost 10 years later writing to edify others, glorifying God. In the name of Jesus, I Give You My Story with Hope that you too are finding your way well beyond just, “I met Jesus.”
My Hope for you, is that Jesus Knows You.
My Hope for you, is that you have a relationship with Jesus.
My Hope for you, is that your Identity is in Christ.
My Hope for ALL, in Your Story, You are Known for Your Identify in Christ.