My Many Identities
Over the course of my life I have taken a few different identities. In 3-5 graded I played football. Our team was part of the Pop Warner league and I was a Mighty Might’s for two years and then a Jr. Pee Wee the next one. Looking back on it, playing football was just silly to me. I’ve always been smaller for my age, and I played Right Guard all the years and full-back. Football wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t me, so I decided to shift gears and try something else.
5-12th grade I played a lot of music. I started with the snare drum and worked my way up to Drum Captain by my Sophomore year in the marching band. I got into a band with some friends around then, and quit marching band. Garage bands have a way of making you wear flannel and semi-tight pants every day, and although I’ve changed the identity again, I haven’t quite kicked the flannel bit. The thought was I would get rich and famous playing music. Eventually I made the move from famous musician to the outdoorsy guy. I always liked nature and the hobbies that come with it, but I was never all in. I think I’m still here currently, but I’ve been noticing a shift the last year or so. I’ll have to keep you updated on Jack’s revolving door of hobbies and life choices.
Now before I bore you on the identity choices I’ve made the point is this, my life has changed, but I’ve always had one constant in my life. It’s been my loving relationship with Jesus. From football, to musician, to outdoorsy guy and in between my relationship with Jesus has been my base line. My hope for you is this becomes the same. There is nothing my important in your life than a loving relationship with Jesus.
This week we have been considering our hearts, and I wanted to end this week here, because I wanted to ask you this question. What’s your base line? As you grow up and take on new hobbies and priorities and even identities, what is your one constant? As you consider your heart today, what is the common thread that keeps you together? We will end with the bible passage this devotion, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forevermore” Hebrews 13:8. My friends, may you see Jesus and the constant thing we have. – Jack Hein
Journal Guide: Answer these questions alone in your journal. They will help you process what God might be trying to tell you.
1. If you have to define who you were in a paragraph? What would you say about yourself?
2. As you think about who you are, your identity, hobbies, and goals, are any of those things possible to change? How do you feel about that?
3. What do you think about Jesus being the only constant in your life?
Conversation Guide: Ask these questions to your siblings or your mom or your dad. We think around the dinner table or right afterwards is the best time.
1. What do you want to be when you are older? (Or for your parents who did you want to be when you were younger?)
2. Who in life do you look up to the most?
3. If you could live in any fictional universe, which one would it be? (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, etc.)
Prayer: Read Hebrews 13:1-19 and pray this quietly to God
Dear God, this last week I have been searching through my heart. I have learned many new things about myself and I want to learn more. I want to learn about how you have created me, but also the ways my heart guards itself from others. Teach me to be loving and kind to others. God, I love you. Amen.