I got my hair cut this past month and I learned two things about myself.
First, I love short hair. Second, I’m not blond anymore. Those of you who’ve known me for a long time, please don’t tell me this isn’t news for this decade. I like my illusions.
I don’t think I’m the only person who sees themselves somewhat differently from reality. I hold up some ideal version – the way I used to be, or the way I plan to be (after my 10 lb weight loss), or the person I’d like to be (yes, blond, in my case, as well as ever patient and kind beyond measure).
The real me is some part of that equation. Even if it’s just a small part.
Social media has helped skew all of our realities, both of ourselves and of others.
Will the real you – the one without photo shop, the one whose children don’t always smile for photos, the one whose vacation was tiring and not perfect – the one where your entire family had the stomach flu for half of the vacation, the one whose house is a mess – would that you please step forward.
I’m getting confused by all this perfection.
Perfect photos of perfect lives. Perfectly happy families. Perfectly decorated homes with no mess, no piles, no signs of family life. Perfect meals (this one is big on my dislike list – please stop it!).
Is anyone else tired of perfection?
I almost weep with relief when I see a real life photo I can relate to – like a picture of someone with morning hair and no makeup, or a picture at someone’s house where a huge pile of laundry is visible on the floor.
Aaaahhhhhh. Something I can relate to. Imperfection.
Once again I’m asking myself – will the real me please step forward?
I think it’s time I take a second look and fess up. Who am I? How do I define myself, obviously, it can’t be by my blond hair or my perfect life.
Have you ever noticed that on the bottom of many of the items we own there is a label, the place where that thing was made. At my house “Made in China” is what you’ll see often on that country of origin label.
All of us have countries of origin.
The place, country, that we were born at, but, also, the family we are born into. Our families, our culture, our country of birth will shape us, and somehow add to the whole of who we are.
I was born in the United States, but my descendants are all Norwegian. In Norway, there is a common custom of identifying yourself by your parents. For instance, my dad commonly says after he cooks something: “Well, I am the son of a baker.” I often say, “I’m the daughter of an accountant.” It explains my cheap nature (sorry, dad, but it may hold a bit of truth).
Circumstances are another area that can define us, or mold us into who we become.
I used to define myself by my job. I loved to say: “I’m a nurse.”
Being a nurse seemed to say it all – I’m caring, I’m professional. When my health problems increased I needed to quit my job and could no longer say ‘I’m a nurse’. I realized then how much value I got from those three words. God helped me to see during that time how true value comes from Him, not from what I do.
“Made by God” – is my new label. It says it all.
Think of the value in a Gucci dress, or a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Designer labels give a high value to a product, no matter what. I am designed by God. Made by His handiwork. The Master Designer Himself designed me, created me, and gives me worth.
Is ‘Made by God’ a label you can relate to?
It’s a radical shift in identities from the American idea of a self made person.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am…”
I Corinthians 15:10
The verse speaks deeply to my soul. Paul identifies himself so completely with God that He defines himself by God’s effect on him. Listen to the end of that verse:
“His grace to me was not without effect.”
I Corinthians 15:10
I wonder, has God’s grace effected me? Is it visible in my identity? Noticeable?
Grace is a gift of gigantium proportion. Divine acceptance. Divine blessing bestowed on us, in our ever unworthy condition. How can we not be changed? Made new.
I get I am in process, but, even in process, do I look different? Do I smell different?
“We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ.”
II Corinthians 2:15
We should even smell better. Sweeter. Our disposition somehow, altered. Our mindsets new – set on things above, not on earthly things.
Overall, a newish/newbie creation. One altered by grace.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
II Corinthians 5:17
So, who am I?
- I am not a product of my circumstances.
- I am not a product of my family background (race, culture, creed)
- I am not a product of my education.
- I am not a product of my self-determination and hard work.
- I am not a product of my appearance – my hair color, my style, my speech.
All these things have affected me, but not defined me.
Will the real me please step forward. The me defined by God – the me who is me by the grace of God.
**Lord, may it be true today – that I am defined by Your grace, over and above all else. Amen.
#thisdaygodsway
