A part of knowing who you are is also recognising that who you are is always changing and evolving...so it's not a concept that is constant and the same, making it harder to get a grasp of it. It's like trying to pin a moving object, or like chasing a laser light - just when you thought you caught it, it slips way.
Are you able to embrace that you are not who you were two years ago and that you probably are not going to be who you are today in another two years? When you think of that are you feeling excited or fearful of the unknown? Are you disappointed that you are not who you were hoping to be by now? Do you have feelings of regret when you look back at who you used to be?
This one simple concept of who we are can bring about so much baggage and so many thoughts and memories. The mere questions "Who am I?" begs the philosophical conclusion which no one really fully grasps nor has attained a definite end to. It is a question, the answer to which can only be gathered through a lifelong discovery. That is because who we are holds an infinite universe. Each one of us represents an entire universe filled with perceptions, opinions, philosophies on life, rules, guidelines and a historical account of emotional, spiritual and physical experiences. Who we are is an understanding that unravels on three parallel grounds: Body (the anatomical body suit), Soul (the mind, thoughts and emotions) and the Spirit (the God connection)...Three-in-one!
God Created us so much in His image that as He is Three in One, so are we! What does this mean for us? Jesus said that He does not do anything on His own initiative, only what He sees the Father do (John 5:19). He also prays that we would all be one, as He and the Father are One, that we may be perfected in unity. (John 17: 21-23).
Who we are ties into us being whole, in that the body, soul and spirit must unite. You will not have a good sense of who you are if only one part is known and developed. You must line all three parts. Your soul, body and spirit must all be aligned, which is why the Bible says "as the man thinks so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). This is because the body/actions tend to line up with the thoughts/mind. The thoughts come from the soul-part/the heart...and the heart reveals the nature of the spirit that dwells within. If the spirit is evil, then the heart will be tainted, thus producing evil thoughts which result in in bad, evil and corrupt behaviour. An example of the emotion that is attached to that is anger and hatred, which is caused by past hurts. However, if the Holy Spirit dwells within the man, then it creates a pure heart, producing good thoughts and the actions follow, giving us peace. This is a healthy state of heart which can be restored through healing.
So, how can we align all three and what should we align them to? The essence of discovering who we are lies within the answer to this question. Where should we begin our search? Our biggest struggle is that we do not know who we are until we answer this question. Should we focus on the body, the physical, the outward? Or perhaps we should begin with feelings and mental knowledge? Where do the roots of understanding spring from? Certainly they take their origin in the Spirit. Examine your spirit...what dwells there?
Through our Lord Jesus Christ we are promised to be filled with the Holy Spirit, the very Spirit of the Living God, the Spirit of Truth "whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. [BUT] you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:17-18). Do you really want to know the truth about who you are? There is only one way - that is through Christ!
2 Corinthians contains this beautiful passage: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where there is Spirit of the Lord there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." Imagine what would happen if you were to line up your mind, body and feelings to this revelation knowledge. Imagine being transformed into the image of the One who made you to be uniquely you - a one of a kind masterpiece! This is why when you are in Christ and the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you would not have the thoughts that would defile your entire body, nor would you act in the way that would contradict Christ's Spirit that is in you. On the contrary, you would continue to become more and more like Him, striving to seek His righteousness, aligning all parts of who you are to that knowledge and understanding of who you are created to be - who you are in Christ. You would grow in love for Jesus and will gladly obey Him.
Just imagine what would happen if we not only saw ourselves this way but others also. How would that change the way we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ...and how it would break our hearts for those who are lost and are perishing without Him. I believe this would inspire us to care for them because we would see who they truly are through Christ's eyes, in hopes that they too would want to discover their true selves. Today I know who I am in Christ...
...and for that I am thankful...
"Knowing who I am and constantly anchoring myself in that truth
trumps what others think of me." ~ Iliana.
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