Identity
When the rubber meets the road, the Christian will do everything to remain in control. Trusting God is great and all, as long as it means I don't have to stop relying on myself! In one week, I learned about my need for a dental operation beyond my budget, all that I owe the IRS for self-employment (even though I live below the poverty line), and that my computer with every sermon note, recording, PowerPoint, and graphic design has been lost in a “catastrophic hard drive failure,” as the repairmen called it. I won’t bore this record with the other miscellaneous mini-crises. I write this down, not mainly to complain, embarrass myself, or insinuate that I am underpaid by the Boss. I write this as the words from a Christian mentor creep into my mind. He recently asked me about identity; these were timely remarks. I paraphrase: "If you were to take away everything by which you identify yourself - that you're an American, a minister, well-educated, employed, somewhat urban, etc....
