Identity Crisis

by | Feb 16, 2015 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Halloween 2014 - don't really know what I was, but I loved the face tatoo!

Halloween 2014 – don’t really know what I was, but I loved the face tatoo!

Our actions speak volumes about who we really are from the inside out.  What do your actions say about you?

Unfortunately, my behavior reveals that I am struggling with an identity crisis.  Sigh.

There is nothing worse than wanting to make the right choices, but find that you make the wrong ones on a regular basis!!  Oh Lord, my name is at the top of this list!!

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. … Romans 7:14-25

The good news is that we are not alone in this age-old battle that even the most righteous of men and women in biblical times faced!

I can’t tell you how comforting it is to know that:

  1. King David committed adultery and murder.
  2. Abraham lied about Sarah being his sister.
  3. Jacob lied to his father about being Esau to get the blessing.
  4. Rahab was a prostitute.
  5. Sarah mistreated Hagar.
  6. Peter denied Jesus THREE times.
  7. Paul murdered Christians.
  8. Thomas doubted.
  9. Noah became intoxicated.
  10. The thief beside Jesus on the cross had been a THIEF!

I am reassured by these examples that we are not the only ones who mess up and sometimes even mess up BIG-TIME!

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

Sin is all around us.  Sin is in us.  Sin can rule us on any given day.  Ugh.

Realizing that God loves these men and women (and us) through their/our sin is as important as knowing that every action we take has a consequence – good and bad.

Don’t miss the part of the story that King David’s son was taken from him by death as a consequence for his sin.  Paul struggled with some unknown calamity throughout the rest of his life.  Sarah had to wait until she was in her nineties to get pregnant with the promised child.  EEK!!!

When I remember God as a parent, I understand the need for discipline and boundaries (even though I really don’t like it!!).

Yet, we are children who will push the limit every time.  Give us an inch and we will take a mile!!

The truth is that these biblical characters are examples of humans acting in selfish ways…just like us.  But, they FALL off the bandwagon over and over again.  They are not the example to follow.

Jesus is.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 1Peter 2:21-22

Truthfully, I hope that people will not judge Christianity by me.  I screw up all the time.  I really hope people will hear my message that loudly says, “FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST’S EXAMPLE.”  He was perfect, so He is the WAY!!!  Don’t follow Meg…she goes the wrong way all too often!!!

It’s such a fine line we walk.  But all in all, we are to rely on God’s guidance to lead us and His Grace to forgive us when we go astray.

Our identity crisis only says we are human.

Make sure you show others the same Grace you would like to receive!!!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.    

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