June 25 – Too Many Identities (Romans 8:28-30)

“Those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.”(Romans 8:29)

IN WORD:
Many young people find their identity in a pro athlete or team, while others idolize and emulate a rock star or movie star. Adults are more subtle, but we, too, will identify ourselves by our careers, our family roles, our hobbies, or trends set by our favorite celebrities. It is human nature to pick an appealing image — any image — and then try to live up to it. We enthusiastically become like the people or ideals on which we set our affections. When we want to, we conform easily. Our desired image becomes a part of us.
When we become Christians, we may have found that we continually struggle to become Christlike. Why? If our affections are set on Him as they once were on the trends and icons of our culture, wouldn’t a godly transformation be a natural process for us? Perhaps that is just the problem. Perhaps our affections are not entirely Christ-ward. We easily let our love grow stale, losing the excitement that newness and discovery naturally brought us at first. Other images — cultural trends and newfound interests — become the object of our infatuation, while Jesus subtly and imperceptibly passes from our adoration to our obligation.
When this happens, we find godliness more of a struggle. It is hard to let ourselves become conformed to the image of Jesus when we hold another image in higher esteem. Other passions pull us in other directions, often making conflicting — or at least superfluous — demands on our character. Godly character cannot thrive in such a context. Our spirits will not fit into two molds simultaneously.

IN DEED:
Is your growth toward godliness a difficult struggle? Examine your desires. How do you envision yourself? How would you like others to perceive you? What image do you aim for? If you find any image other than Jesus shaping your soul, abandon it. It will hinder your growth. Find your identity entirely in Him.

“We cannot help conforming ourselves to what we love.”
-St. Francis de Sales-