Welcome my friend, come on in & we’ll enjoy a cuppa together while reflecting upon a most interesting & thought provoking question I was recently asked…
Today, here on the east coast of Australia it’s a beautiful Spring day. Having just returned from a walk around our block with hubby it’s time for a delicious treat & cuppa with you!
I think its a day for Lady Grey tea with a slice of my home baked Date, coconut & almond loaf…don’t you? Or maybe you prefer something different.
Now we’re comfy, let’s begin…
Setting the Scene
At a medical facility recently I was asked to fill out a new form.
I was rather glad I had remembered to take my reading glasses with me otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to fill it out! Lol!
As I went down the page reading & answering each question, I came to two similar questions about ‘identity’ but one in particular stood out.
The question asked; What did I identify as? It was particularly asking whether my identity was found in a particular culture or not, giving two options to choose.
I found this quite a thought provoking question & have pondered this since. Asking myself the following question;
What actually is ‘identity’?
If you look this up on line you will get a plethora of meanings, even from the dictionaries.
So before we explore the answer to that question let’s look at some popularist ideas in our global society today.
Heritage & Nationality
I have always been interested in Family History & am at present compiling a photo/history book for my daughters & grandchildren of our unique family history.
I have found many fascinating facts down our family line. An example is that we come from Irish royalty, in fact we are descendents of the High King Of Ireland King Niall Noigillach & his descendent the King of Ailech (the Irish Kingdom of Donegal) & in particular his son, Prince Flaithbertach who became an early Christian.
Discovering God’s promise lived out through many of our family’s generations to the present;
“… showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:6
Our Celtic heritage originated in the Bavarian Alps of Europe before our arm of the Celts migrated to Ireland.
Thus, I have asked myself the following; do I identify as a Celtic royal descendent? Well my answer is No, while that is part of my heritage it’s not my identity.
For I was born here in Australia as was my parents, although my grandfather wasn’t, he was born on Celtic soil, so is my identity Australian?
My answer to that question is also a No, that’s my nationality not my identity.
Culture
It has been said that as Australians we don’t have a very defined culture.
Although in many literary works we are described as a laid back – relaxed, hardworking in a land of rugged beauty with the ‘bronzed Aussie’ image continuing throughout the decades.
And I do agree that we do have a culture that is more relaxed then many other cultures around the world.
While we are very hardworking we also enjoy life, especially in a beautiful country like ours with its rugged landscape & pristine beaches.
So the question I ask myself again; is my Australian culture my identity?
No, as culture is way of behaving & doing things rather then an identity in itself.
So what is Identity?
Well let’s look at the consensus that’s found in a majority of the definitions for identity;
‘…individuality.’
Ah, huh!
The Oxford dictionary defines individuality as;
‘… seperate existence, (strong) individual character.’
Hmmmm!
My identity actually is in God, for I am His daughter & yes while that’s my spiritual belief, it’s also my identity for it encompasses all of who I am.
Let’s look at the following scripture;
“But to all who did receive Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.…” John 1:12 & 13 BSB
You see my friend, my individuality & uniqueness (seperate existence) comes from Him & while I’m being perfected in His image through His Holy Spirit, I do not nor ever will lose my individual character or uniqueness.
In fact who He created me to be becomes more evident as I allow His love & grace in my life which also has become my Culture (ways of behaving & doing things).
So in being a daughter of the most High King of Heaven, I indeed am royalty not by human means but by being born of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
So to conclude, my identity is all of who I am, I am an individual named Jennifer & a daughter of God which separates me from any culture on earth for my culture comes from Him.
Yes, a very thought provoking question indeed! Don’t you think?
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo by Szabolcs Toth on Pexels.com
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Jen, this post is wonderful. And indeed thought provoking questions. I love how you distinguished the types. My identity is Child of God.
Visiting today from SSPS 285 #50&180
Thank you Paula ☺️. It’s always lovely having you drop by my friend ❤️
Ps: Thanks bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.
“… a daughter of God which separates me from any culture on earth for my culture comes from Him.” Amen! Love this, Jennifer. Thank you! Love and blessings to you!
Thank you Trudy, blessings to you too my friend! 😊
I love the distinctions you made between identity, culture, nationality, etc. I just finished, but have not yet reviewed, a book on this topic that you might enjoy: Made for More: An Invitation to Live in God’s Image by Hannah Anderson. She talks about the meaning and implications of living in the knowledge of our identity of being made in God’s image, especially after being redeemed. She brought so much good stuff out.
Thank you Barbara! 😊 It’s sounds an interesting read.
I too identify as the daughter of our Lord. I believe our heritage and all that is interesting but not who we truly are. Thank you for your lovely thoughts here.
Hi sister in the Lord! 🤗 Thank you! 😊
Jennifer, you have broken this down so beautifully. The questions are most thought-provoking. Today I will be praying that “who He created me to be becomes more evident as I allow His love & grace in my life which also has become my Culture (ways of behaving & doing things).” May we become more like Him.
Amen! Thank you Joanne. 😊 Blessings to you sweet friend.
This brings to mind the question of being an American. Our deep roots are not here in the US, they’re in Ireland, Scotland, England, Germany, Italy… When I first started reading your post, I thought you were going another direction with it, I’ll explain. Just last night I was helping hubby fill out paperwork for a new doctor. We were both shocked to see that it asked for gender assigned at birth, current gender identity, and more such questions!! I have my opinions on all that mess but I’ll just keep it to myself for now. I will say this though, the world is becoming more messed up as the days go by. Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedLinkParty 136. Pinned.
Yes, we live in very culturally diverse nations Dee. I had those other questions too but that’s for a future post.
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt reflection on the multi-faceted nature of identity, Jennifer. Your introspective journey, triggered by a simple question on a form, resonated deeply with me. It’s fascinating how you delved into your heritage and nationality, only to arrive at a profound understanding that your true identity is intertwined with your spiritual belief and relationship with God. Your narrative encourages us to look beyond the superficial layers of identity and explore the core of our being. I appreciate the thoughtful and engaging way you shared your exploration, it indeed stirred a contemplative mood. Looking forward to more of your insightful posts.
Thank you Yasmin! These questions are indeed thought provoking…aren’t they?
Lovely having you join me here over a cuppa new friend. 😊
We are anchored and grounded when our identity is found in Him alone, Jennifer! Yet, it is interesting to discover things about our heritage and pass it along to our children and grandchildren. Finding out your Christian heritage is rich indeed!
Indeed Lisa! Yes, it was a real gem to find in our family history. 😊
Jennifer, thank you for this reminder of Who gives us our identity. To find it in Christ alone is a beautiful gift. Our strivings cease, we rest peacefully knowing who He says we are, others’ opinions matter less.
Meanwhile, I love hearing about your family history and passing this legacy on to the next generations. A beautiful gift indeed!
Thank you Linda, it’s so lovely having you drop by my friend 😊
So true, Jennifer. If we understand our identity in any other way, e.g. our work, our family, etc., we will find that that identity will keep changing. Nothing in this life is stable except the Lord, so we must find our identity in Him alone.
That we do my friend, for as you have stated;
“Nothing in this life is stable except the Lord, so we must find our identity in Him alone.” Amen!
Jennifer, I loved reading this post. I agree that my identity is found in the Lord who never changes. Thank you for sharing sweet friend!
You’re most welcome sweet friend, it’s always lovely having you over for a cuppa & chatting about our Lord 😊