Odd Fragments

Are you fragmented? Are you between two opinions and not sure which is really truth?

Do you have one identity in one situation and another identity in another?

I struggle around strong personalities. I'm laid back, easy going and not much ruffles my feathers. But when I get around stronger personalities - watch out.

But I have learned....

I have learned that in the Gospel I cannot sway between two opinions or two ways of being. My identity becomes eroded, unless I am on guard and aware of what is happening.

Strong personalities tend to say to less-strong (but not weaker) personalities - Who do you think you are? This is who I am! This can be anything that someone else leans upon as their identity such as their ethnicity, their physical fitness level, their status in society, and even their religion.

When I allow myself to get sucked into thinking like that - where I look inward and see where I fall short next to "big personalities" then I begin to lose my identity and my authority level.

I cannot allow this to happen.... because what happens is that my identity as a Christian gets eroded and smaller as I allow the bigger personality to swallow me up.

The truth is I cannot be two people - one at church (or in the presence of other Christians) and another person when I am with another group of people. That's a fragmented life. And being fragmented also erodes true identity.

Being who I am (I am in Christ!) has much to do with having this overwhelming confidence that allows me to be the stronger personality - not because I change my personality, but because I know who I am and I don't need to conform or be in submission to a stronger personality.

Where does this confidence come from? Yes, I see the threat of the bigger personality, but I ask the Lord - grant me boldness!!! (Acts 4:29)

To live between two opinions is a horrible place to be - never sure of who you are. It is much better to embrace your true identity through Jesus and live in one mind, of one opinion and one identity.

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Acts 4:29 Wuest version: Lord, look upon their threatenings and grant at once to your bondslaves the ability to be speaking your word with all fearless confidence and freedom of speech while you stretech out your hand to heal . . .