This word is important. One of my favorite movie parts ever is in the Gladiator when Maximus reveals who he is... he has this identity...
“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.”
He knows who he is. It does help that it's a script, but that's besides the point.
Everyone has an identity like that - even your children!
As children grow up they form their own unique identity. As a Christian our desire should be for our children to find their identity in Christ, as a loved and accepted child who God designed perfectly. One of the biggest pitfalls into not finding this identity is sports.
Growing up I decided I was a soccer player... that was my identity.
Now being a soccer player is a great thing, and with the gifts God granted me I can still feel fondly of my time and accomplishments on the field. However, once taken away, I had an identity crisis. I didn't go crazy but I definitely looked for other avenues to put my identity into. Being a good friend, the best worker, a great party host, a ladies man. I searched for quite a while before God called me back to me identity in Christ.
My identity was in Christ since He first made me, I just didn't see that.
It's not just me, having a position in sports ministry where I "rub shoulders" with many athletes (current or past) who have the exact same issue. Their entire identity and life was wrapped up in being an athlete. That is what they strived for, that was their goal, that's the persona and identity they took on. When things got tough or they decided to stop playing sports for different reasons they had an identity crisis. Some walked away from their faith and everything about their past life. Others just will never be able to let go of that identity.
Now sports isn't the only thing as your child may identity themself as an artist, or a musician, or as an AWANA leader, or as a straight A student.
The list could continue for a long time with thingswhich take our identity out of Christ. It can be as simple as girls who struggle with their identity in being beautiful. Guys can struggle with their identity to "feel manly." We all struggle with identity when we focus on "keeping up with the Joneses."
So sports isn't the only identity somebody can put on... but many people do and if you are trying to raise up an athlete its a pitfall you need to watch out for. Impress upon your child their identity is in Christ. He is their Creator who molded them to have their own unique identity, and their Saviour who died so they could keep their identity perfect.
Next week I want to finish this topic with some ideas of how to stay grounded in our true identity and some ideas of passing this along to your children, I'll also let you know my identity!
right on once again, Drew! you have hidden talents, we didn't know you were such a good writer! I too went through an identity crisis when I left home, who am I and what am I all about? I didn't belong to anything anymore so I had to find out where my identity really needs to be... six months in, I found Christ! Praise God I am a child of the King!
ReplyDeleteBe blessed, Sandee