(Katie)
I recently was invited to speak about my experience working alongside and ministering to college students. A friend got up to introduce me. He said to the audience, "I'm going to tell you what Katie isn't. She isn't a philosopher. She isn't a teacher. She isn't a scholar..." I felt somewhat mortified hearing all the things that I wasn't. Each isn't statement initially hit directly on my own questions of worth. For example, as a gradate student, aren't I supposed to give the illusion that I am scholarly?
As I reflected on each statement, I realized that my friend's unusual introduction was wise and correct. In naming what I am not, he brought surprising clarity and revelation to who I am. His introduction emptied me of all these false identities that I try to be. Perhaps, we could each use an emptying of identity now and then (maybe not in front of an audience).
My friend's introduction reminded me of Rob Bell's Art of Elimination from the Drops Like Stars tour, still to this day, one of my favorite dates that James' planned. Bell explains that great artists know that it isn't just about what you add; sometimes the most important work is knowing what to take away. Removing clutter, excess, all the superfluous elements and in the process, discovering what's been there the whole time.
My friend's introduction helped to name and eliminate the unnecessary and superficial identities that I've added to myself. I felt immense freedom as my false identities were stripped off and eliminated. As I got up to speak, the audience saw my true form: I am a counselor. I am drawn to the brokenhearted and find joy in helping people walk in the freedom from the things that hold them in bondage. I delight in seeing the unique potential in people and releasing them into their destiny. That's who I am in my truest form.
James and I are in a season of emptying ourselves of any false identities or masks that we've added over the past 27 years. In the book of John, Jesus asks Peter, "do you love me more than these?" I believe that God invites each of us to honestly assess if we love the false selves and masks that we've added more than Him and the original form that He created us to be.
Considering who you are not, may give you surprising revelation of who you are!
Katie, I love and agree with what you wrote...however, You are a teacher, scholar and philosopher. Maybe at that moment you were a counselor but you are so gifted and so amazing that I will have to beg to differ with that introduction. You are a beloved blessing in any circumstance.
ReplyDeleteI was just talking to someone about who I am not. I've wrestled with who I should be for many years and am just learning how to love the me that God made. That it's okay that I don't fit the mold...my unique and complex make up are exactly what I am supposed to be. Each of our gifts are necessary for ANY of the gifts to work. You can't have evangelism without empathy. You can't shepherd without wisdom and so on and so forth...it's a beautiful mix and if we don't have it, God made somebody that will compliment what we have perfectly. Love this post.
ReplyDelete:) Katie! I agree. so good. Sometimes we need to be stripped of who we think we are so we really see what God has clothed on us as gifts. What "anonymous" wrote is so true, YOU ARE GIFTED...but that's not in essence who you are! Ah what an amazing and humbling thing that the gifts that have been with us for so long...that seem to be within us for as long as we can remember aren't actually ours. It's just that God is so gracious in His love that he lets us keep them even when we fall on our faces in using these gifts over and over and over again. What an amazing God we serve. Sigh :)
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