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

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