According to demographics, I am a young, white, American female. But I am so much more than my population. Just because I am, and often labeled as young, white, American, or a female, does not mean that I should let these "titles" describe me, and neither should you. As a nation, we have started to let these titles become our identity. By definition identity is "the fact of being who or what a person or thing is." So shouldn't our identity be based on more than our race? I have seen and I know far too many people (add me to this group, too) who have become so caught up with their race or their sex, especially during this election season. But claiming these titles (whether you are in the majority or the minority) has only created strife and division.
We are more than our race. We are more than our sex. We are more than our age. We are more than our nationality. So we should stop hiding ourselves behind our demographics. If we claim that we truly want to be unified then why do we keep pointing out our differences? Pointing out our differences in terms of demographics is what leads to arguments that often can never be solved peaceably.
So we have established that we are (and that we want to be seen as) more than our demographics. If our identity is not in those statistics and tittles, then what is it really in? Our identity is so much more than these earthly titles. Our identity, as a follower of Jesus, is in Him. So ultimately it has nothing to do with this world, this world that we sadly cling to so desperately. In Jesus, it's not about who is in the majority or the minority, or even what their DNA is; it's about Jesus. That's it.
We are all sinful (Romans 3:23), and yet even in the midst of that sin we are all loved (Romans 8:37-39). Jesus is our hope and our rock. He tells us that we are loved and then we are seen as righteous because of what He did. So because of this freedom and hope in Him we don't have to cling to the things of this world because Jesus is greater. Our identity is found in the omnipotent, omnipresent Creator of the world. And that should be, and is, more than enough for us.
I'm just as guilty as the next person for trying to prove myself through my earthly titles. I cling to the things of this world for support and, at times, I wrap up my entire identity in titles. But I and you are worth so much more than these titles and demographics that will pass away. My prayer is "take this world and give me Jesus." Since our identity is in Christ, may we let that influence and guide the way we live life here on earth: with peace, justice, love, and mercy.
"Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:19b-21
