Henri Nouwen said, “One of the tragedies of our life is that we keep forgetting who we are.”
Last night I spoke on the phone with my Dad who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. As we talked, I asked about his time in the Navy. There was a long pause, which isn’t unusual, but then I heard him weeping. He said, “I had forgotten I was in the Navy.” As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it’s common to forget blocks of time and significant aspects of life. Serving in the military and later becoming a policeman was important to Dad. Before getting sick, these are two ways he would’ve described himself.
Alzheimer’s patients aren’t the only ones at risk of forgetting who they are. Christians do it all the time. Recently I heard a pastor say, “Christians are prone to gospel-amnesia.” In our culture, we are more likely to associate our identity with our work, accomplishments, and possessions. That’s an inaccurate assessment. To complicate things, the world sends us the message we don’t measure up, the enemy reminds us of our shortcomings, and we know enough about ourselves to be our worst critics. Pastor and author, Tim Keller said, “The most damaging statements that have ever been said about us are those things we have said about ourselves.”
Knowing who we are is of great value. People who are secure in their identities have nothing to prove. Peace and contentment will slip through our fingertips like raindrops until we understand our identity. The good news is we can be people who know who we are. If you are a Christ follower, your identity is explained in the Scriptures. If you are in Christ you are:
- Loved (John 15:9, John 16:27)
- Forgiven (1 John 1:9)
- Justified (Romans 8:30)
- Redeemed (Eph 1:7)
- Chosen (Eph 1:4)
- Given an Inheritance (Eph 1:11)
- Gifted (Romans 11:29)
- Given a calling (Eph 4:1)
- Capable (Romans 8:37)
- A New Creation (2 Cor 5:17)
These are just a few of the defining characteristics of who we are in Christ. The Scriptures offer many more. As Christ followers, Jesus defines our identity. What the Bible says about us is far more accurate than anything we put on our resume. That doesn’t mean we no longer sin or have shortcomings. It does mean that what Christ has done for us is far greater than anything else.
So, how do we keep ourselves from forgetting who we are?
- Focus on the Truth. We tend to concentrate on the most prominent voices that are speaking at any given moment. If we read fashion magazines more frequently than we read the Scriptures, there’s a good chance we’ll base our identity on our appearance and waist size. If our primary focus is our 401K and financial portfolio, then we’ll probably associate our identity with how much money we have. I’m not saying we should never read fashion magazines or tend to our finances. I am saying what we spend the most time focusing on is what will ultimately take center stage in our minds. Paul wrote, “Set your minds on things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:2-3).
- Spend Time in God’s Word. This is painfully obvious, but so many people fail to do it. Romans 12:2 says we are “to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” God’s Word is the primary way we will grow in our relationship with God and learn who we are in Christ. If we want to know who we are, why we exist, and what God wants us to do with our life, the answers are found in the Scriptures.
- Remind Yourself of Who You Are. I love to speak the Scriptures out loud. I need to hear then. Even more, I need to say them. The Word of God is stronger than any falsehood. If we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures and constantly remind ourselves of how they apply to us, we’ll be people who know who we are. And that changes everything.
