I Am

What is identity?

We look for it to explain ourselves, to find purpose, to excuse behavior, to satisfy the soul or the ego, to establish ourselves. But identity is just another label to wear. I am this. I am that. Or maybe when I become this I will feel better, be better. But there is caution in this; with labels come expectations and when expectations are not met, disappointment often follows. If I say, “I am kind,” the next time I am impatient I may not realize it but my self worth drops a little. If I say I am fair and see both sides of the story, when I fail to communicate in a way that reflects that, I disappoint myself. If I have excess and take pride in being well off and my fortunes fail, I think myself a failure. We wrap our identity around ourselves like a Louie Vuitton scarf or a handknit one, whatever your pleasure, but identity does’t actually give us worth, only sets us up for hypocrisy, disappointment or comparison. The heart of man is deceitfully wicked, yet capable of love beyond reason. We are intricate, complex creatures too deep and wandering to know ourselves fully, but yet are fully known to the creator.

Jesus, son of God & Man tried to keep identity far from him, telling people not to tell about him. Rebuking the young rich man who called him good; replying why do you call Me good? Only God is good. But even our father in heaven pushed identity aside when asked by Moses who he was. Yes the bible says God is love and tells us what love is, but Yaweh’s answer to Moses was simply, I Am.

Ponder that phrase. I am…

I exist.

I am alive.

I am here.

I am experiencing and growing every moment, too much to define, too much to identify with a word that doesn’t contain the vastness of my existence.

Can one word from any language sum up the totality of your life? Even a segment of your life? A moment? The feelings and thoughts mixed inside you right now? What are you!? What am I? We are…