Many of us have asked ourselves this question. We ask this question to understand where we fit into our lives. The question is often connected to the question: Why am I here? We ask because we desire to believe we are here for a purpose and that when we discover the purpose and live our lives within that purpose, our souls will be filled with happiness, joy, and satisfaction. Some find the answer early in life, some later. Some never fulfill their purpose, resulting in an unfulfilled existence. Within the pages of the Bible, there are many teachings from the different authors that teach about the question we pose: "Who am I." But before we read some of these, let's talk about how we pursue the answer to the question without the direction or thoughts given in scripture.
Everyone we meet, talk to, and have built relationships with has developed an identity. Identity is described in many ways. We all are given an identity at birth, being recognized as male or female, though some have been born as both. However, as time passes, the gender exposes itself. However, I will refer to male and female for this idea of identity. The revelation given at birth is our first identity. The first question posed to the person helping with the birth is, "Is it a boy or a girl." Identity is given. The second question is health. Is he/she healthy? A second identity is given. The newborn is healthy, or the newborn has a physical issue. The issue may be internal or external. Both will have names attached to them that may or may not be used to describe them later in life. Descriptions include "the one with the limp" or "one with epilepsy," when people want to use a shortcut or have a standard knowledge of someone, the describer, and hearer have a relative understanding of the person with whom there is a discussion. So, our first identities are formed at our birth. Let me share a story of a person I know who was born with a physical issue and how that shaped his identity. He was born with a cleft foot. To fix the problem, the doctors put him into a brace that wrapped around his body and went down his leg to the foot that was turned in. The brace had to be adjusted every so often. The result was that his foot was eventually straightened into its normal position. Frequently, when people described him, they said his name and included the description, "he was born with a cleft foot. The description was part of his identity for the first few years of his life.
Our identities change continually throughout our lives as we grow and develop, primarily due to our environment. We discover what nationalities we are. First, we know where we were born, and then, we know where our ancestors were born. By finding this information, we develop a bond and sense of belonging. We have part of the question "Who am I" answered. Our nationality is where I was born, and my heritage is from where my ancestors were born. We develop an imaginary attachment to these identities. Some have moved to other nations from where they were born, and most have never been to the countries where their ancestors were born.
However, through the teachings and stories of others, they develop an attachment to them because they help give them an identity and the partial answer to the question, "Who am I." Let's consider the story of a person born in one country but moved to another at a young age. My wife was born in Mexico. When she was five, her parents moved to the United States, bringing their three daughters. The daughters were ages 3,4, and five. They were raised, went to school, married, and had families in the United States. Some describe them as Mexicans, and others as Americans. My wife became an American citizen, thus considering herself as an American. She has pride and love for her ancestral nation of Mexico but loves being and identifies as an American. Many try to convince others that she is a Mexican American. She would never describe herself as such. For her, the identity she has adopted does not include the place of her birth. She identifies solely as an American. She is an example of someone who has had a change of identity.
Higher learning institutions where a person is educated become a part of a person's identity. We have often heard others share this part of who they identify as by expressing themselves by saying, "I went to Harvard," "I went to Yale," I went to Oxford," or "I went to Stanford." And there are many more examples. Saying the words with pride of accomplishment because they belong to a small fraternity of those who have accomplished the same. Many who have completed their education from these institutions identify themselves among the world's elites of thinkers and leaders. The result is that they belong to something that helps answer the question, "Who am I."
Our careers or jobs define our identity. Ask yourself how often you have been asked, "What do you do?" A bizarre question to ask someone. However, the question is used to try to understand a person better. By learning what they do for a living, we can place them in a category of life that we can use to identify them. Their job is part of their identity to us.
Moreover, a person's job is a large part of their identity. Some have great pride, and others are ashamed due to societal norms regarding careers related to more remarkable achievements. Because of society, many have jobs they do not like but stay for money, and money represents success. Therefore, they are considered successful, even though they are unhappy. Many people would instead portray their identity as someone prosperous rather than live a joyful, happy, satisfied life. We should understand that the image of ourselves that we reveal to others may not be our true identity. Our true identity can be hidden within a lifetime of insecurities and coverups.
For many, military service is a significant part of their identity. Having the identity of someone who served their country with honor and receiving recognition for doing so gives them a feeling of self-worth, as well as they should. When they finish their service, they become part of a select group called veterans. We see these veterans of all ages. We see them wearing hats, which shows the war and the time they spent serving. However, the opposite is felt by some who experience the darkness of war. Even though they may receive honors and accolades, they identify themselves as abusers, haters, and even killers. They do not cope well with the identity of themselves of a soldier of war who is burdened with a conflict within themselves regarding right and wrong, good conduct under orders versus their own conscience. Some lose parts of their bodies and minds. They had an identity when they joined for service; when the soldier returns, they have another. With a change of identity comes a new struggle to answer a new question, "Who am I now."
Consider the one who loses their job or business, where they had spent years, maybe decades. Or the husband or wife who had been married for many years and found themselves single due to divorce or death. What happens when the identity we have sculptured for ourselves becomes a crisis moment? Who are we when everything we identify with us comes to an end? When life changes our perceived identity, a new question arises: "Who am I now?" Feeling lost, hurt, scared, and uncertain. This crisis has removed the identity of who we thought we would be and left us lost and panicked. We have to start over, though we do know how. This is what a crisis of identity is. It is a barren desert felt deeply within our souls.
The Bible contains more teachings about our identity and the experiences that change our perceptions of our identity. I want to give a couple of examples that will help us through the process of change that creates new identities in us. Let us first look at the life of the first man, Adam. He was made perfect in the image of God. He lived within an ideal environment. You can read about it in Geneses 1:26-31 and Geneses 2:1-25. Adam was perfect, living in an ideal environment. He was mated with the wife God created from his own rib. He was known throughout creation in the heavens and earth as the first man. He did not worry about his appearance or safety. He was not concerned about what he would eat or drink. Love was felt by His Creator at all times. His life was perfect. His identity was intact. Then, in a millisecond, it was changed. He had entered a terrifying time where the question "Who am I now," was in question. He did not have the answer! Terrified, He hid himself from his Creator. He did not know what was going to happen. Adam did not know what mercy was; until then, he never needed it. He did not know what "grace" was. Adam did not know what sin was. But now, he was in a barren place. What was God going to do? What God did was show Adam that He was still loved. God comforted Adam by showing him forgiveness, mercy, and grace. However, Adam was not as he was; from that time forward, Adam would be known as the man who brought sin into the world. Adam would have to learn how to live with a new identity. He would have to adapt to a new living environment and a different relationship with his wife. Adam did adjust and had a long life. But imagine what it must have been like to look upon the earth and see and experience the pain and turmoil, knowing it was because of his action. He had to experience his own son die at the hands of his other son. How grievous this must have been for Adam. But as I wrote, Adam had a long life and had many sons and daughters. God still loved him.
We can read about the life of Moses and discover that his identity changed at least four times during his 120 years on earth. First, he was born an Israelite; second, he was raised as an Egyptian, the son of the pharaoh's sister. While in Egypt, he became a great soldier who conquered many lands for the Pharoh and Egypt. For forty years, he lived as an honored and admired man by many worldwide. His identity was established and assured. We do not know if he knew he was an Israelite, but at some point, he gained the knowledge and killed an Egyptian soldier. In the moment his identity changed, he was in a crisis. He was no longer a prince of Egypt; he had become an Israelite fugitive. For the next 40 years, he would live with a new identity. Rumors and stories would be told worldwide about the fall from glory experienced by Moses. He would marry and have several children but did so as a fugitive from Egypt. Then, he would have another change of identity. He would meet God and, in a moment, become a deliverer and ruler for the last 40 years. He became the most powerful ruler of Egypt, though for a temporary time. The Pharoh was subject to him. Then, Moses became the most powerful ruler of all time. He became the man who led a new nation into existence that has had more impact on the world than any other. Not Rome, Greece, France, England, China, Russia, the USA, or any other has affected the world more than that tiny nation. Moses' last identity has been taught to billions over the past four thousand years.
We can examine many others whose lives were written about in The Bible by reading the stories about Job, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, King David, Apostles Peter, John, and Paul. All who went through an identity crisis and change made an unimaginable impact on the world.
We are not alone when we go through a change of identity and the crises it can bring. Mankind has been subject to this aspect of life since the dawn of creation. We need to understand that change is not to destroy us. It moves us into new experiences and turns losses into gains and fears into faith. I will explain this in more detail in "Who am I" (Part Two)
I keep the articles short. It takes around eight to ten minutes to read, so due to the subject's length, I will upload "Who am I" (Part Two) next week.
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