Comments on: Emerging Into Our Identity

By: Derek

Derek — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:41:03 +0000

I can’t help but take issue with the “Who I Am” section. Well, actually 2 issues. First, it’s Jesus’ parent (GOD) who defines Jesus’ identity. Sometimes that works out okay, but often it doesn’t. Identity is formed in a variety of ways and certainly it is shaped by our culture, context and connections (for lack of a better “c” word); ultimately, identity must be defined by the person with most at stake lest that one’s identity be misguided by a parent/friend/spouse/complete stranger with malicious/misguided intentions. I think the pivotal identity forming experience for Jesus in the baptismal scene is not the baptism itself, the descending dove, or the voice. The pivotal moment is Jesus’ willingness to have been there, received the baptism, seen the dove and heard the voice. Without his willing participation, the rest might be deemed a rape of his body and spirit.
Second, what is Jesus’ identity at the end of this scene? A beloved child of God? A religious leader? One of the many people baptized that day? I don’t think identity is formed in a moment (even such a significant moment as this). It’s a series of moments and our willingness to participate in those moments that defines our identities over long periods of time. That’s probably part of the reason that many people look back upon their lives 10 years ago and think, “Man, I was another person then.” In fact, I kind of was.

By: Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 21:39:52 +0000

Bob,

Awesome. I love those thoughts, “who/what do I trust
where do I draw meaning from”

I appreciate your feedback. Are you still in Austin? We need to connect sometime. We were just there last weekend to visit some friends. Only takes us like 3 hrs to get down there.

Scott,

I love that story…I hear you on the thought of having to qualify ourselves. I was out of work for like 3 months before we moved here. I had resigned in June and didn’t start work again till about September. It was hard to say that I was just in transition…or I was a stay at home dad, without qualifying it.

As for suggestions. I don’t have any quickfixes on that. I would say that it’s just a life long process of being aware of that, which it sounds like you are, and slowly redefining what identity means to you. My favorite book on this topic of identity and vocation is Parker Palmer’s, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. Brilliant.

Michelle,

Thanks for the kind words. For sure, i love being a long distance counselor via the internet. Haaa. Anything I can do to help others I will try. Hoping everything is going well for you in your life transition right now.

Thanks everyone for posting on this.

Rhett

By: human3rror (John Saddington)

human3rror (John Saddington) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:14:00 +0000

great article by @rhetter today: http://tinyurl.com/dkev9b

By: Michelle (Meesh)

Michelle (Meesh) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:21:43 +0000

Rhett,

I gain so much understanding and comfort from your words. I guess you are becoming my one sided long distance counselor via the internet. Thanks for your inspiring, educational posts.

: )

By: John (Human3rror)

John (Human3rror) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:13:27 +0000

awesomeness.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:50:49 +0000

Immediately after our marriage my wife and I relocated over 1,500 miles so she could attend seminary. I had to find a job quickly and ended up as a barista at a local coffee shop. While it helped keep us afloat, working as a barista was not why I had obtained a college degree and I struggled with allowing “barista” to define who I was. Being in a new location only exacerbated this problem as every time I turned around I was meeting new people who were asking “what do you do?” as a way of getting to know me. My response usually involved stumbling through an awkward litany of background information and qualifications.

It seems that culture has ingrained what we do as the de facto indicator of who we are such that, even despite my own experience, I find myself making judgements of other people using the same criteria.

Any suggestions for a way out?

By: bob carlton

bob carlton — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:55:47 +0000

rhett, what a wonderful post – so many great insights

two questions that I have also seen as central to the season of life that is emerging adulthood:

who/what do I trust
where do I draw meaning from

By: Rhett Smith

Rhett Smith — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:19:11 +0000

Andy,

You are so right. I was thinking about that as I wrote the post…I agree that these questions occur through one’s lifetime and probably return with more vigor at various life transitions. I think I was just thinking about all the emerging adults I work with, so I have more experience with them.

I have found that those in the 40′s, 50′s, 60′s have many of the same questions, but often take on a different tone, or trajectory to them. Sometimes I work with someone in their 60′s who are wrestling with these questions, but since they approached them decades earlier, they also tend to have more of a peace or grace in the midst of them, then the typical young adult facing them for the first time.

Exciting times…great opportunities for growth for all of us.

Thanks for posting.

rhett

By: AndyC

AndyC — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:19:36 +0000

This is a great post, but you do a bit of a disservice to direct it only at those in emerging adulthood.

I am far from that but these are questions I started asking myself again a few years ago, although I would grant you with a different focus than you are getting at here.

Bob Buford wrote Halftime to chronicle what happens as people look to turn from a life of success to a life of significance. These three questions would clearly enter into that thought process as well.

It is a journey to start at the point of emerging adulthood, I agree. But it is one that you may find yourself entering into again a little later in life as you look to find or restore meaning into life through a closer relationship to God.