Who am I today?

Should I change who I am to fit the occasion or should I remain steadfast where I am. I see and hear many folks as they struggle through this question. Here inside the church we kick the idea around every Sunday. The church has been wearing a very unfair label for centuries. You know the one I refer to; Hypocrite!  I am sure that there are hypocritical tendencies in us all and that from time to time we let them out. I prefer to use other words and ideas to deal with this continuing battle.

The most difficult development in one's life is discovering who you are. Are you friendly or mean, happy or sad, open or closed, good or bad. This list could go on forever. Trouble is, life never stops putting us into situations that require us to "live out" who we are, to speak or act in an acceptable manner. The old adage "when in Rome" seems to be the current norm.

I get into trouble because I deal with many different groups of folks on a regular basis. Each group expects me to agree with them and participate in their activities. This is where I start looking into myself and deciding "who I am". I struggle through the options and check off the consequences of my choices and "take a stand," however, I am so limited in my knowledge and experience I often take the wrong position.

Then it happens! Slap! On goes the label and another hypocrite is crowned.

 I don't like this word. I see many Christians stop trying to live for God because of this word and how it is used. How many times are we allowed to fail (sin), repent and start anew. I don't think that God has a finite number attached to this idea. Oh if I could be like God in this area of my being. If I could find it within myself to give folks as many chances as they need and keep on loving them and NEVER stick on some label. Better still, if I could give myself room to learn and grow... forgive myself, restart and become a better Christian.

"CHRISTIAN" is not a label, or idea, or heritage. Christian is a being, being in CHRIST and him being in you. When I look into the mirror I don't see enough of Christ. There is this guy; working, thinking, planing about himself. Self-centered, egotistical (in a hansom sort of way), confused and stubborn. Yet it is this guy that God sent his son to die on a cross for. I spend too much time and effort in the quest to answer the question "who am I". The secret is found in discovering who Jesus is, changing our focus from us to him, relying on his knowledge and experience to face the challenges of life.    

Me and my putty car.