In wrapping up some posts on knowing who you are, I must add that I believe the crux to all this - strengths, passions, gifts - is that we are most true to ourselves when we find our identity in Christ.
Walking in a deep and abiding relationship with Christ brings us closer to the true self that God created us to be. Thomas Merton in his book, New Seeds of Contemplation, explains that one discovers himself by discovering God. It is in God that the reason and fulfillment of one's existence is found. Without him, we lose sight of who we are. Left to myself, with a desire to exist outside of God’s will and love, I become an illusion, covered up by deception. So, in a sense, one aspect of salvation is redemption from my own deceived self. I believe this is what Paul meant in his letter to Timothy when he wrote, "Watch your life (how you live) and doctrine (what you believe) closely, for by it you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Living in the truth of who God is, we find ourselves... operating in our strengths, passions, and gifts to His honor and glory. Hmmm, maybe this is one aspect of what Jesus meant when he spoke of humanity being "lost"- he rejoices when we "find" in Him the truths of our own identity, because he knows that it is in this discovery that we will make our greatest unique impact in the world.
Be true to yourself...
1 comment:
Good thoughts. And abiding in Christ brings peace (which probably is also a derivative of finding ourselves in Christ).
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