Your distinct identity

Who could possibly have a problem with the declaration that each person has a distinct identity? What could be so bad about that? How would this observation cause harm?

And yet, from what I have recently discovered via Dallas Willard, some people strongly oppose this message because it implies that you and I are unable to completely define ourselves; and apparently, they don’t like that. Go figure.

No one is invincible or infinitely flexible. And people know that. Deep down, they know.

To me, saying each person is distinct or fixed in some form is merely stating the obvious; one insight that is necessary to live a more effective and satisfying life. But not everyone would agree. Maybe this is mostly an academic idea confined to the philosophy department at the University of Southern California. Perhaps no one who lives outside the legendary land of fruits and nuts (sorry about the caricature, California friends) would subscribe to this odd idea.

If we are honest, though, perhaps all of us have felt this way. We want to be what we know we are not. We feel inclined to do what we suspect we should not. At times, we desire to live in a world without any personal limits or boundaries. Oh, we want other people to have boundaries so we don’t get hurt…as we go about doing our own thing. If only life worked that way.

For some reason, we feel that the options available to us are not near enough. It is so difficult to be creative and content with what we have been given. And so, human beings have a bizarre tendency to keep pushing and pushing until we can finally impersonate our Creator. Would you agree?

But a small dose of reality quickly reminds me that I am never going to be a professional ballerina or a flamboyant extrovert. Not in a million years. And no matter how hard I try. This is definitely not going to happen. Admittedly, ridiculous observations like this are not controversial and don’t tend to get people worked up. The I-will-define-myself-however-I-please talk usually has specific moral and often sexual implications.

Anyone who wants to live in an “anything goes” world will not be happy being reminded that there are limits and lines which are not a good idea to cross. Especially since this will likely also contradict and challenge their naturalistic ideology. Be warned: Some people really take offence if you mess with their understanding of the Secular faith. Don’t expect a friendly conversation or dialogue.

But does anyone who pushes the limitless self-definition position (atheist or otherwise) really believe what they say? I doubt it. Not unless they’ve had too much to drink the night before or the music is turned up really loud. No one is invincible or infinitely flexible. And people know that. Deep down, they know.

And yet, the claim that God created each one of us for a specific purpose – and that it is a good idea to try to figure out what that might be – is now taken to be an oppressive statement in some circles. For all I know, at this very moment some self-righteous lawyer is working behind the scenes to censor such claims as contrary to human rights. So I might as well finish this post while I still can.

A question to consider: Where do you suppose most of the freedom is to be found in the world today?

Is it over in the old Soviet Union, where oppression and control and corruption and atheism runs rampant? Hardly. Well, how about the part of the planet that can’t be mentioned without the threat of violence? Would you like to move your family over there? Then, of course, there are all the little liberal universities here in the West to consider; places where young people are encouraged to think for themselves as long as they believe what they are told. Have you ever wondered why a typical college is filled with post-modern clones?

No, it hasn’t been all sweetness and light in the West to be sure. But the oppression that has sometimes taken place in the name of Christianity pales in comparison to what happens when another gospel – and particularly a naturalistic gospel – firmly takes its place. If you doubt this, attempt to do that math. Or try to picture what life might be like for your great-great-grandchildren.

Sure, I can sympathize with anyone who has been stamped with some sort of label or definition which served to distort their true identity. It is sad to hear about such things. It really is. And we have probably all done this at one time or another. This type of distortion and abuse happens everywhere – even in church. But again, this only really matters if you and I have a firm identity in the first place.

If it’s okay to define yourself however you please, what is to prevent someone with more power from defining you however they please? And if it comes down to who can yell the loudest, who do you think will win?

Defining your destiny

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker could have been known as, say, the Red-headed Headbanger or Jackhammer. Just imagine selling your old moped, trading in your scooter, and getting a Harley.

Oh yeah, in a moment – with a stroke of a pen – things could have been different for this poor little bird. Much different. A whole lot better. Exit disrespect and humiliation. Enter attitude and excitement, strength and determination. And either label would have worked; both would have been accurate descriptions. Different focus. Same bird.

Might be a moral to this tree-top story for a few creatures on the ground below.

Yes, as this tale is still mournfully told in the YBS community, some birdie had to stick their big, bright, yellow, belly right out there for everyone to see. There they were, strutting their stuff, standing in front of the naming committee on that fateful day. Plump and preoccupied; focused and fixated on one aspect of their appearance. Of all things. No mention of character or any positive personal qualities, just colour and size. For far too long I am the colour yellow and I have a great big belly! had been playing over and over in their tiny bird brain – really loud.

So much for positive and accurate self-talk. So much for illuminating self-understanding. So much for the future of our feathered friends.

To be sure, this muddled message had shaped their thinking over the years. Some tried to trace it right back to nest. Others blamed it on a few head-first crash landings back in the flight training days. And there was that recent high-speed incident with the window. Either way, this entrenched self-understanding would now – to a large extent – determine their direction and define their destiny. Yes, Name Day turned out to be one sad day in woodpecker world history. As the spotlight shone down, during an awkward moment of silence, things went from bad to worse:

“And what do you like to do in your spare time…Yellow-belly?”

“Soaring high in the sky with the eagles” would have been a good response. If only. “Hanging out with my California Condor friends” could have worked too. “Practicing my Meadowlark imitation” might have been an improvement. “Doing Kingfisher dives” would have caught the attention of the judges. Communicating an association with a few rock stars in the bird community was one obvious option. Standing next to some birdie with perceived stellar status was a standard strategy. The Red-capped Burgereaters did it all the time.

But this too was second-best. It would have been even better, so the YBS historians say, if Mr. or Mrs. or Miss. Yellow-belly would have said something more revealing about themselves. Preferably something about what made them unique – even special – in the larger community of creatures. Something that made them stand out in some way even among other creatures in the sky.

Sucking sap. Was that it? Did that phrase really define their identity? It does now.

And for generations now, young birds in Yellow-belly Sapsucker school have been given the following essay topic: “What our distant relatives should have said.”

Wings are even better, but words can help you fly.