Identity

 Who we are and how we identify determines our outlook on life and how we interact with the world around us. Identity is a powerful thing. Historically identity has always been based upon characteristics a person was born with or had acquired through social, professional or societal status. Anything beyond those boundaries was considered an oddity, delusion or fantasy.The question of what is and isn't natural comes up when contemplating a persons sexuality and gender identity. We tend to look at what is considered the norm to determine how we should perceive the things of life and how to live, but is this a truly authentic and reasonable approach in determining what should be socially, and morally acceptable, or have we missed the point? I would argue two points here. 1. The possibility that what is "natural" is not necessarily right, correct or moral. 2. Comparing ourselves one to another may not be a wise or accurate measuring tool for social and private, individual healthy behavior. In comparing ourselves to one another with the rule or boundary that majority must make the norm is faulty in at least two distinct, but probably several places. First, that majority will fluctuate and change over time and second that human beings by nature may in fact be inherently flawed, making comparisons flawed by virtue of the measuring stick.These days, it is impossible to keep up with the ever increasing labels of identity. The number of possible genders alone is mind boggling, trying to get our minds rapped around their meanings even more of a challenge. Add to that, the infinite possibilities of self identities that consider every category, aspect of life and characteristic of everything imaginable (age, animals, and other creatures, inanimate objects, and whatever else may come to mind) and you've got a cup of tea made of confusion, and unlimited change ultimately leading to lawlessness due to the impossibility to define, implement and enforce laws, regulations and acceptable social behavior. There are in fact today both men and women who identify as young children of the opposite gender, people identifying as animals and other creatures and inanimate objects often of an opposite gender than they had been "assigned" at birth and young children of elementary school age identifying with the support and encouragement of parents as the gender opposite to the gender they were born with. What of the person born a male, identifying as a female, who considers themselves a lesbian? Any mathematician knows that the variables are endless even when only considering gender. There are gender fluid kids in high schools, Junior high and elementary schools these days claiming to have no fixed gender identity. So, what then exactly is "natural" and how much baring does or should it have on what we consider to be normal, acceptable and just? Growing up in the 1970's in the United states, common thought was that anything "natural" was what we should consider the norm and standard of which our social cues should come from. After all, wasn't nature the origin of all life, and there for the final authority by which we should refer? With the assertion that nature was the be all, end all of authority there was a "Ha!", even animals (nature) are frequently known to engage in homosexual behavior. That makes it authentic, correct and acceptable! Well, I propose the idea that what is natural is NOT necessarily good, right or authentic. I propose the idea that nature is not our final authority and I propose the idea that comparing ourselves one to another is not the best measuring stick by which to asses and determine our behavior. Perhaps, nature is not the origin of all things. Perhaps we and all of creation have been corrupted when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sinned, tasting of the forbidden tree in the Garden, thereby forfeiting dominion of the earth and all that was in it to the one who tempted their souls giving him authority, making him the Prince of the power of the air. Perhaps we and all of creation originated by and through a magnificent creator and perhaps we were in fact created in His image. Perhaps, we were designed, created and intended to ultimately represent Him, thereby honoring Him and bringing glory to His name. As a believer of the Bible and a person in submission to the person of the holy spirit, by the grace of God and through the sacrifice of Jesus, it is my honor and joy to emulate Him taking my identity in Christ by which I have the incredible opportunity to enter into covenant relationship with God the father forever more. Mercifully, my identity in Him is increased through relationship and my relationship with Him is deepened through submission to His holy spirit. Being in right relationship with the Creator of everything - my creator, grounds my identity solidly in Him and enables me to walk out my existence as I was created to, as a unique individual. As a women (He created them male and female) with my individual gifts and talents; strengths, weaknesses; interests and personality but with the ability to grow in character, integrity and love as my identity is formed more fully in Him.