Identity Crisis

Reading the news these days can make the mind reel and the heart sick. Mass shootings, abortion on demand at any stage of pregnancy, states legalizing infanticide, Antifa violence, terrorism, opioid addiction, sexism, racism, gender confusion, political hysteria,Trump Derangement Syndrome, hatred, divisions, pedophilia & other sexual abuses by the rich, powerful, and famous are common themes in modern headlines. Google, Trump, Obama, the Clintons, Twitter, guns, leftists, conservatives, Facebook, government, and a host of other scapegoats have been blamed for these issues, but the root problem is not found in any one person, event, or platform. All these symptoms seem to suggest that our root problem is a culture having an identity crisis.

Every living human on earth is sacred with infinite value and purpose because we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Whether saved or lost, young or old, black, white, red, yellow, or some other beautiful color combination, sick or healthy, planned or unplanned, left or right, gay or straight, male or female, we are all image bearers of the one true, perfectly holy and good creator God. We are so precious to Him that he paid the ultimate price through Christ to restore a relationship with us.

But our society denies our true identity. Some say we are random accidents with no purpose at all except to pass along our more desirable genes. Others say our identity is found in whatever gender suits our preference on any given day or in our sexual preference. Others think our identity is defined by how much money we make or in how much we help the environment and animals. Some think their identity is based on the opinions of others and that their purpose is to make others happy. Some believe they are defined by how many people like them or click the like button under their pics on Instagram. Others are defined by a political platform or seek out purpose by joining a radical group like ISIS. None of these false notions of identity bring contentment or respect for others. They only sow division, sorrow, and hatred, not love.

The fact that Lauren Daigle’s Christian worship song “You Say”, which expresses our search for identity which can only be found in God, took the No. 1 spot not just on Christian charts but also on the secular Billboard’s Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart illustrates how hungry our culture is to find true identity, belonging, and purpose.

What would happen if we each acknowledged that we are image bearers of God and that the best way to fully know who we are and who we were created to be is to get to know the One who created us as revealed through Christ and His word? How would we treat others if we saw them as God's handiwork, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image?

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:14) 

Those who have seen the face of God in a baby born with special needs cannot fathom nations claiming to eradicate Down's Syndrome through abortion. Those who see God's image in a precious newborn or on a sonogram image find it much more difficult to justify abortion on demand at any stage of development.

Those who find their identity, value, and worth in Christ do not resort to mass shootings because they value human life as sacred and are not made less valuable by the insults or exclusion of others.  Those who trust in Christ and know Him as Lord do not lose hope or become hysterical after a major election because instead of placing their hope in political systems or in imperfect earthly leaders who will fail them, they wisely wait on God's justice and rest in His truth instead of the lies of the world.

Those who truly see women and children as image bearers of God instead of mere objects at their disposal will not abuse them to temporarily gratify their own sinful lusts.  When each man understands and appreciates Christ's love for His bride the church, he is more likely to love and respect his wife and to protect the dignity and honor of women in general.  When fathers see what kind of sacrificial love and perfect faithfulness and goodness God has bestowed upon his children, they are less likely to abandon the families entrusted to them and more likely to be present in their lives offering goodness, wisdom, and love.

Those who know God, who is the definition of love (1 John 4:8), are better able to love others unconditionally, driving out hatred. When we realize that we were created to reflect His image to the world and to give Him glory, the world becomes a very different place.