Identity Crisis. An extremely simple definition is as follows… “the shock when personal ‘sameness’ changes.” And may I add,.. when one will find they have to leave behind or move from that ‘sameness’ due to this shift or change. As soon as I thought of this definition, the picture of gray hair flying in the wind generated by a red convertible dissolved. This type of ‘change of plans’, happens quiet often throughout our lives. The way we accept these shifts in our lives will make the difference between crisis or not. In the bible we find a woman who was in the midst of an identity crisis of sorts. She was ultimately challenged on where she placed her identity and how she accepted the identity of the one who stood before her.
The book of John, chapter 11 begins with a crisis in progress. Lazarus the beloved brother of Mary and Martha had just died. By verse 21 Jesus has arrived at his good friend Lazarus’ tomb. Martha runs to Jesus and says, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus then said to her with all authority, “Your brother will rise again.” She most likely, fixated on the cold tomb with its death inside and huge rock in front, gave a rote theological answer in accord. But Jesus knew that her heart was not in her words.
There are times when a crisis hits and we wonder, “ Where is the Lord in all of this?” “Why didn’t He do something before it happened?” What Martha didn’t know was that Jesus was at work the whole time. He was going to do a miracle that went beyond what she could imagine. Yes, He would raise her brother from the dead, but the real miracle would happen in her heart. He would reveal His true Identity and challenge where she placed hers.
It goes on to say that Jesus said to Martha, “ I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” I picture Jesus taking Martha and lovingly turning her gaze from the tomb to His eyes. Forget about death and look into the eyes of eternal life. At that moment, with His words “I Am” Jesus reminded her of His deity. He was her friend no doubt, but even more so, His identity as God. Her God.
His Identity: As believers, we can forget or become complacent on Who Jesus is, His true identity, His authority and power. We may sing songs of Him as our Savior and Lord of all, but our lives and actions show us running to other things for comfort or protection. Our prayers can sound full of faith, but lack a true believing heart. Do we really grasp His control and plans over our days? And do we really look into His eternal eyes when crisis hits? Do we see Him as the great “I Am”?
Our Identity: We can also forget, especially during crisis, our true identity found in Him. Jesus says, ”Whoever believes in Me”.. the words ‘in Me’, implies a personal relationship and trust. We need to refrain from seeking after the identity of this world, and find our rest in the mighty hands of the King of Kings. In His secure dwelling place, the cold tombs of doubt and discouragement will not distract our hearts from the One who gives life. And the heavy rocks of crisis will no longer block us from seeing His miracles, when we truly believe who Jesus says… “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.”
Lastly, Jesus asked Martha and us, “Do you believe this”?
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him.”
Ephesians 1:19 NLT
The book of John, chapter 11 begins with a crisis in progress. Lazarus the beloved brother of Mary and Martha had just died. By verse 21 Jesus has arrived at his good friend Lazarus’ tomb. Martha runs to Jesus and says, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus then said to her with all authority, “Your brother will rise again.” She most likely, fixated on the cold tomb with its death inside and huge rock in front, gave a rote theological answer in accord. But Jesus knew that her heart was not in her words.
There are times when a crisis hits and we wonder, “ Where is the Lord in all of this?” “Why didn’t He do something before it happened?” What Martha didn’t know was that Jesus was at work the whole time. He was going to do a miracle that went beyond what she could imagine. Yes, He would raise her brother from the dead, but the real miracle would happen in her heart. He would reveal His true Identity and challenge where she placed hers.
It goes on to say that Jesus said to Martha, “ I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” I picture Jesus taking Martha and lovingly turning her gaze from the tomb to His eyes. Forget about death and look into the eyes of eternal life. At that moment, with His words “I Am” Jesus reminded her of His deity. He was her friend no doubt, but even more so, His identity as God. Her God.
His Identity: As believers, we can forget or become complacent on Who Jesus is, His true identity, His authority and power. We may sing songs of Him as our Savior and Lord of all, but our lives and actions show us running to other things for comfort or protection. Our prayers can sound full of faith, but lack a true believing heart. Do we really grasp His control and plans over our days? And do we really look into His eternal eyes when crisis hits? Do we see Him as the great “I Am”?
Our Identity: We can also forget, especially during crisis, our true identity found in Him. Jesus says, ”Whoever believes in Me”.. the words ‘in Me’, implies a personal relationship and trust. We need to refrain from seeking after the identity of this world, and find our rest in the mighty hands of the King of Kings. In His secure dwelling place, the cold tombs of doubt and discouragement will not distract our hearts from the One who gives life. And the heavy rocks of crisis will no longer block us from seeing His miracles, when we truly believe who Jesus says… “I Am the Resurrection and the Life.”
Lastly, Jesus asked Martha and us, “Do you believe this”?
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him.”
Ephesians 1:19 NLT
2 comments:
Hi Paige, Powerful! I loved the part, where you said, "I picture Jesus taking Martha and lovingly turning her gaze from the tomb to His eyes. Forget about death and look into the eyes of eternal life. At that moment, with His words “I Am” Jesus reminded her of His deity. He was her friend no doubt, but even more so, His identity as God. Her God."
Turn my eyes Lord Jesus...help me to keep my eyes, my direction, my thought toward you and not on the temporal--that will burn away and mean nothing!! Thanks Paige for being faithful to Him! You are a blessing!
I could certainly relate to turning to other things for comfort. I do this far to often. Thank you for sharing this and pointing my eyes to Jesus today.
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