Identity is such a massive thing. Who are we? How do we decide? Does someone tell us? Do we just tell ourselves?
There are so many questions, and it feels like there are not enough answers.
The standard response we hear in the world is simply ‘be yourself.’ But for the life of me, there are so many times in my life, in my day, when I have no idea who ‘myself’ is.
I have many roles, wear many hats, and I wonder where my identity is in all of that?
The problem tends to exacerbate itself a bit when we connect our value to our identity. Am I valuable depending on my identity, or am I valuable because I exist?
Is that the same as finding the meaning of life?
No, I don’t think so.
We each have intrinsic value, but we are seemingly taught to seek to identify our value in the things we do. Who we are and what we have achieved are indications of our worth?
I currently work as a Chaplain in a primary school, and I try each day, in each interaction with a child to help them to know they are valuable, just as they are.
I don't do it because they are the smartest, or the cutest, or can run the fastest, draw, or write, or learn, or behave, but simply because they exist. Because God created them with value.
Each and every child, each and every person was created with value and identity.
I believe I am a child of God, and I believe in the value that I possess because He created me.
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