Identity Through the Lens of the Cross
Mark 15:21, NRSV
Galatians 2:20, NRSV
Reflections
If the cross points us to a God whose most essential characteristic is love, then our new identities are bound up in that same God — we are to be re-made around love, re-defined as those called to a life of love and self-giving…
Christian identity is not found by turning within, to find my true self, as if it lies hidden within waiting to be discovered, but instead it is found by looking outside myself to Christ — becoming Christ-like, capable of self-sacrificial love, in my own distinctive way…
That is the invitation we are given from the cross of Christ: to start to live out this new identity we have in Christ: redeemed, forgiven, loved, blessed and called to give ourselves for the sake of those God has placed around us in often small and mundane, but occasionally large and painful ways. It is to live out who we truly are in Christ…— Graham Tomlin, Looking Through the Cross
- Answering machine greetings:
- Who are you?
- What do you want?
- Fear, disengagement, yearning for more courage
- Question: Who are you?
- Based on geographical location, class, career?
- Status Anxiety by Alain de Botton – what we are really looking for is love
- Brené Brown: what we are really looking for is connection
- What if we just strive for what is right? It’s good if you are right in your mind, but what if you know you’ve been wrong?
- Answer: You’re beloved
- Invitation
- Life of faith is to die, to let go of control
- Invitation to give yourself to Him
- Invitation to humanity
