Re-Forming Identity

Re-forming Identity

Very recently, I read an article online which left me confused (hopefully that is not an experience for my readers)... The article's author took defined words, then to redefined them, seeking to re-purpose them for their own thoughts. The author’s ability to stretch and manipulate words was reminiscent to a baker working and manipulating their dough, shaping it as they’d feel inspired. These mis-definitions led me to questioning the author’s source of inspiration. Then, I was reminded of a song by rap artist Lecrae(1) in his song, ‘Truth’. In the song, Lecrae identifies that whilst people might have personal truths, he questions intelligently, what if the truth you have is a lie for me? Some how, the need for a solid source of truth feels important.

Exploring who we are as people, as both individuals and indeed within community, is something which is increasingly taking place throughout the world. Globalisation is giving opportunity to shrink difference, fusing various ideas into our way of life. In the last blog post on this subject (Identity (part 1) | Hostinger Website Builder), thought was given to some of the challenges which we have especially in the global culture we share together. The opportunity we have of ‘dipping our toes’ into each other’s world is incredible. Just the opportunity to explore each other’s foods, media (e.g. K-Pop, Netflix) and to get tastes and flavours of culture through both immigration and travel, have offered the world new adventures. Such extensive choice inevitably has the likely power of both positive and negative outcomes. Oftentimes, we do not give much room to think beyond that which we crave in a moment. However, reduced thinking leaves unnecessary consequences on a future generation, something environmentalists repeatedly remind us to note when we think about the planet. Perhaps, such thinking is applicable to our personal world too?

Epigenetics(2), which studies change within our genetic makeup, has found that an experience in one generation can have a genetic impact upon the next, because certain vulnerabilities can develop in our DNA. Common belief that suggests, ‘what I do doesn’t matter as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else’ is a false notion. Rather, what is done in private will inevitably emerge out of our being due to our design. We fool ourselves if we assume that our thinking is not affected when we engage in patterns of behaviour. The ‘Western’ concept of individualism (which is something of a self-centred outlook emphasising personal rights) offers the freeing right for people to choose and not be led by others. Yet, what effects occur to others following our ‘right’ to do ‘what we want, when we want’? How we function will affect ourselves and those around us. A sign nearing Alaska offers a suggestion worth considering(3), “Choose your rut carefully. You’re going to be in it for a long time.” It’s easy to get ‘stuck in a rut’, but its not so easy to get out. How much time I would have saved if I had been aware of this!

Discovering a sense of self in a world which provides so many different ways to gain definition can be overwhelming. Amidst the choice can be a ‘sensory overload’(4). This term is used to explain the challenge of processing multiple experiences in their five senses all at once. So much information is available at one’s fingertips via our common media outlets, and so much of this can drive how we function, whether un-, sub- or within- conscious understanding. Having spoken to many young people (and older too), it is clear that many struggle to be able to keep a clear sense of self with the multiplex of stimuli raging in society.

1. Take a moment to reflect: Do you have control over the information coming at you, or is it controlling you?

Ordinarily, if someone refers to ‘identity theft’, the reference is made of a perpetrator having stolen something relating to that person’s personal details, for example, a credit card or passport. One wonders though whether there are certain experiences and behaviours which make us vulnerable to having our identity stolen? Do you ever notice a little bit of yourself feeling lost when you engage in certain activities? It may be that you feel forced into certain things through which you seem to ‘lose yourself’. ‘Identity loss’ however does not necessarily occur by force.

In the Bible, one of Jesus’ main Disciples, the Apostle Peter, made an interesting statement when he said, ‘you are slave to whatever controls you’(5). This is a powerful suggestion, worth considering. Links could be made with behaviours which we might label ‘addictive’, but one wonders if some forms of ‘slavery’ are more subtle? For example, during the riots which filled the streets of various cities throughout England in 2011, so many of the individuals described a felt sense of inequality and injustice(6). Are these themes just another type of slave-master which have a grip on an individual’s life? Such sources of enslavement can lead to an eroding of one’s soul. They carry such an air of brokenness with them, an air which wears down those living in one’s midst.

Varying systemic and moral failures are present within the world around us, from government through to education and healthcare. An outcome could be a distrust toward others, a perception that it is better not to trust because all that will happen is that one will be let down if they do. Such experience can inform identity; it teaches us about our world and further, ourselves too.

Determining the Source that releases breath into our identity is so important. It feels right to seek out things which rather than hindering or limiting our ability to breathe in life, actually provide a sense of freedom. These may be accompanied by safe boundaries, which will provide security. Forming identity requires guidance; if one has a gift, one also needs to know what the operating instructions are for maintaining and sustaining it.

It may be that one has lived a life where they have been worn down by a felt sense of ‘enslavement’ which leads to the need for re-formation. Re-forming is not simply about developing outward behaviours but further about being released from the things which feel like they are gripping and entangling from within too. Freedom starts in the heart. The provider or source of such an identity needs more than political prowess or media magic, for both of these are limited to one’s outer circumstances. Whilst something is stabilising for a limited shelf-life, it does not enable benefits which go beyond one’s current situation.

When Peter (5), reflected upon things that enslave, he also pointed back toward One whom he considered a reliable Source for life (7). He had walked with Jesus Christ for three years, both observing and taking part in Divine interruptions in people’s lives, including his own. In consideration of such a Source, Peter allowed Him to re-shape his own identity. Recognising that systems, including the church, can let people down, Peter saw Jesus Christ as a reliable Source to welcome, placing his life, wellbeing and focus upon. Within a world of multiple choice, Jesus Christ identifies Himself(8) as the Source which will re-generate, re-form, and re-awaken. He continues to invite those recognising their need for change into a relationship which will alter their current and future experiences.

Whatever it is that you are digesting, why not give yourself the permission to consider the sources engaging with your soul? Thanks for looking into the mirror with me today...

Root this now

1. Take a breath: Our bodies travel with us wherever we go! How often do you take time to intentionally notice how your body is coping? Take two minutes to do some deep breathing, noticing as you breathe in through your nose, hold it and then breathe out of your mouth (each for 3 seconds), how your body is feeling.

2. Take a look at John 4 verses 1-26. Reflect upon how Jesus describes Himself. Consider what He describes as the outcomes of placing one’s trust in Him.

3. Contemplate the ‘sources’ informing your life. Are there any which may be good to digest either more or less from them? Take some time to choose steps which may take you towards a more healthy life.

References

1. Lecrae (2006). ‘Truth’. Found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek88npgmrb4. Accessed June 2024

2. Yehuda, R. and A Lehrner (2018). ‘Intergenerational transmission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic mechanisms’. Found at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6127768/. Accessed May 2024.

3. Man in the Mirror Blog (2019). ‘Make This the Defining Moment of Your Life’. Found at: https://maninthemirror.org/2020/05/19/make-this-the-defining-moment-of-your-life/. Accessed May 2024.

4. Queensland Government (2022). ‘Sensory overload is real and can affect any combination of the body's five senses: learn ways to deal with it’. Found at: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/newsroom/features/sensory-overload-is-real-and-can-affect-any-combination-of-the-bodys-five-senses-learn-ways-to-deal-with-it#:~:text=Sensory%20overload%20is%20when%20your,%2C%20flight%2C%20or%20freeze%20mode. Accessed May 2024.

5. The Holy Bible. 2 Peter 2:19, New Living Translation, 2015

6. The Guardian Newspaper (2011). ‘Reading the Riots: Investigating England’s Summer of Disorder’. Found at: https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/46297/1/Reading%20the%20riots(published).pdf. Accessed May 2024

7. The Holy Bible. 2 Peter 1, New Living Translation, 2015

8. The Holy Bible. John 4:1-26, New Living Translation, 2015