Sometime last month, I went visiting at a friend's house. Of all the activities that took place, playing Scrabble was the most entertaining. The three of us would tease each other for being blank or for scoring low points, and in the midst of it all someone gave up.
A few moments later, the conversation turned sour, for reasons I vaguely remember.
"If you like tell mummy and daddy that I said so!" the youngest of us said, staring into her elder sister's face
"Who should I say sent me?" the elder sister asked teasingly
"Tell them, I am that I am"
At this point we all burst out laughing, the heated atmosphere a little cooler. We continued the game while diving in and out of random topics.
That phrase didn't push a pin through my mind until weeks later. I was gazing at a lady who was wearing an oversized blue polo, a black skirt with lose stitches at the hem and an overdue cornrow, and she, was stirring back from the mirror.
I had just moved to a new neighborhood and was no different from an alien who just dropped from the sky. Everyone seemed to know themselves, aside from me of course. I didn't know anyone, infact I haven't seen them before, well, aside the guy who knocked on my door asking for a lighter and the other asking for a type-C cord.
As a stood watching myself intensely through the mirror, the question came, "who are you really?" I could have quickly answered, "I am that I am ", but I would be lying to myself.
Someone may start by quoting the scripture,"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" 1 peter 2:9
Another may start by succulently explaining the details of his/her job, or family tree or simply say I'm a student.
For me I didn't have any physical evidence to hold unto, save the fact that I'm a tall and fair lady both of which can't yield any result.
Today, while flipping through the Bible for something, for anything, I overheard the conversation of Jesus with his disciples.
The big boss was nearing the end of his life journey, and his men were sorrowful. While speaking he said:
John 16:23 NLT
At that time, you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.
I was immediately excited. Here was an open cheque: "Ask the father and he will grant your request" however, there was a reason.
It wasn't because they have labored with Christ all this while or because they were the fine boys wey love Jesus, but because of the name. speaking about name you can check out short skirt
You might ask how that is related to the issue on ground, just don't stone yet then I might be able to explain.
Before God, their ever-changing identities were swallowed up by that of Jesus Christ, a stable one. An outsider could have identified them as men who spoke in other tongues, men who healed the sick and challenged authorities, but then, these actions didn't spring from them but from their attachment to Christ.
Their identity was founded on a solid rock, and that's exactly what I have set out to do.
Each day I step out of my room, I walk boldly not because I understand my environment fully but because my sufficiency is in Christ.
I initiate conversation with people that I would have shrunk at their sight because I'm sufficient in Christ.
I aim at a good target, fail, try again, and fail, you think I will give up? Far from it, I will re strategize and aim again because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I will forgive my offenders and be quick to ask for forgiveness when I offend, I won't pride on my achievement or intelligent, because it's not done in Christ.
You may have crafted out a unique identity for yourself, but on what basis?
It could be on the basis of your beauty, intellect, friends or career; as beautiful as they all seem, what becomes of you when things become shaky?