identity
after spending many months in 2009 in south africa as a bit of a getaway from moz, i returned this year to my hometown manjacaze.
living in SA, was a time to reflect again on who i am and what i've become. most people find their identity in stuff. they hang out at malls or restaurants, do shopping, buy gadgets(stuff), follow fasion, cars, jobs, even a hobby.... my clothing, my sunglases, the brand on my board shorts, or cycling gear etc, help me express who i am, gives me confidence, self-esteem. put that same person on an unspoilt beach or island, and he will be a nothing, totally bored with himself, or have nothing to talk about with anyone.
some find identity in being connected to a certain celebrity, or a pastor or leaders, a group of people, or club, rugby team, organization, whatever, we find identity in being connected with certain peoples and doing certain activities with them. take that person out of your life and suddenly your image takes a huge blow. to have nothing to do or nowhere to go on weekends, makes one feel less important, less human.
I connected with a cell group in Hazyview during my time in SA. This group gave me a place to belong to, to share, to hold me accountable and to challence me, they also encouraged me and prayed for me during difficult times. To "connect to" is a natural human need, thats how we are. But whats important is WHY we connect: do we value love, accounatability, reallness, to share life deeply together, maturity, growth, or do we value the name or image of the group, the name of its leader, etc...
Do I add value to the group by means of my name and accomplishments, or by means of my character, honesty, realleness, brokeness, love, etc.
Identity is found in One. In knowing Him and to grow towards spiritual maturity. In Christ we will find that He created us with gifts, talents, all related to Himself, and they define who He created us to be.
being back in mozambique, im personally being robbed of all stuff and closest friends. nobody here knows the brands of the shoes im wearing, hereyou are lucky if you have shoes. No one knows the celebs I know in SA, or the cycle club i belong to, that I have a degree, a massive network of people. Im just the white man. When i put on my mountainbike helmet and cycling shorts, im seen as weird, trust me, some have a good laugh at me, and children run away when they see me comming. i cant talk to anyone in my first or second language, cant converse about cycling or flyfishing. i cant go out to shops and buy new brands, for there arent any. i cant go to a restaurant with friends for ill have to buy everyone drinks, food etc, cause no one can afford it.
here, life is at home, nothing hidden, life is about who you are while having nothing. Life here shows your true identity, cant hide love, hospitality, cant buy and not share, cant pretend to be somehting you are not.
here i realize who i am. i am nobody.
but i guess thats where Christ wants me to be. so He can shape my identity.
living in SA, was a time to reflect again on who i am and what i've become. most people find their identity in stuff. they hang out at malls or restaurants, do shopping, buy gadgets(stuff), follow fasion, cars, jobs, even a hobby.... my clothing, my sunglases, the brand on my board shorts, or cycling gear etc, help me express who i am, gives me confidence, self-esteem. put that same person on an unspoilt beach or island, and he will be a nothing, totally bored with himself, or have nothing to talk about with anyone.
some find identity in being connected to a certain celebrity, or a pastor or leaders, a group of people, or club, rugby team, organization, whatever, we find identity in being connected with certain peoples and doing certain activities with them. take that person out of your life and suddenly your image takes a huge blow. to have nothing to do or nowhere to go on weekends, makes one feel less important, less human.
I connected with a cell group in Hazyview during my time in SA. This group gave me a place to belong to, to share, to hold me accountable and to challence me, they also encouraged me and prayed for me during difficult times. To "connect to" is a natural human need, thats how we are. But whats important is WHY we connect: do we value love, accounatability, reallness, to share life deeply together, maturity, growth, or do we value the name or image of the group, the name of its leader, etc...
Do I add value to the group by means of my name and accomplishments, or by means of my character, honesty, realleness, brokeness, love, etc.
Identity is found in One. In knowing Him and to grow towards spiritual maturity. In Christ we will find that He created us with gifts, talents, all related to Himself, and they define who He created us to be.
being back in mozambique, im personally being robbed of all stuff and closest friends. nobody here knows the brands of the shoes im wearing, hereyou are lucky if you have shoes. No one knows the celebs I know in SA, or the cycle club i belong to, that I have a degree, a massive network of people. Im just the white man. When i put on my mountainbike helmet and cycling shorts, im seen as weird, trust me, some have a good laugh at me, and children run away when they see me comming. i cant talk to anyone in my first or second language, cant converse about cycling or flyfishing. i cant go out to shops and buy new brands, for there arent any. i cant go to a restaurant with friends for ill have to buy everyone drinks, food etc, cause no one can afford it.
here, life is at home, nothing hidden, life is about who you are while having nothing. Life here shows your true identity, cant hide love, hospitality, cant buy and not share, cant pretend to be somehting you are not.
here i realize who i am. i am nobody.
but i guess thats where Christ wants me to be. so He can shape my identity.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment