Who Are You?
In this era of social media, we find ourselves bombarded with images of beautiful women with voluptuous figures and flowing hair styled naturally, relaxed or with beautiful sculpted hair pieces. Likewise, we have a front row seat to friendships that blossom into romantic relationships that lead to a destination wedding at a tropical oasis. There are those whose employment is classified as a job and they desire to have a career. This desire is intensified by images, videos, books, or on-line articles by intelligent, educated women who are at the top of their careers and have global impact. These experiences can cause any woman to question her identity. Some of use view ourselves through a negative lens that activates our self-perception that automatically defaults to “less than”, which then triggers a barrage of negative thoughts followed by low mood.
Biblical Reference
The Bible consists of numerous stories related to identity. This reference will explore a small portion of Hagar’s lived experiences.
Hagar was an Egyptian maidservant to Sarai, Abram’s wife. Sarai desired to be a mother, but she was of advanced age and barren (infertile). So, she instructed her husband, Abram, to be intimate with Hagar, which he agreed, and Sarai gave Hagar to her husband. Sarai’s goal was to obtain a child through Hagar.
Hagar conceived, which caused her to hate Sarai. Sarai expressed her concerns to Abram and he reiterated Sarai’s power over Hagar. Thus, Sarai harassed Hagar to the point that she ran away towards Shur.
As Hagar was traveling to Shur, she encountered the Angel of the Lord. Hagar explained why she fled Sarai and the Angel of the Lord instructed her to not only return, but to submit to her mistress. The Angel of the Lord revealed to Hagar the life of her unborn son. Hagar, in turn, praised the Angel of the Lord for what he shared with her.
After the appointed time, Hagar gave birth to a son and named him Ishmael. (Genesis 16, NKJV).
Self-Reflection: After reading the above biblical
reference, I invite you to notice what you are
experiencing? What are some of your thoughts
about Hagar? What about Sarai? What are some
of the themes you noticed from the biblical story?
Identity
There were several themes from Hagar’s story. First, jealousy from Sarai because her husband, Abram, became intimate with her maidservant. Second, Sarai was envious of Hagar because she conceived and bore her husband a son. Third, there is a socioeconomic imbalance – Sarai is connected with wealth while Hagar is her maidservant.
Having said that, the human eyes, along with logical thinking, would connect Hagar’s identity to istress, adulterer, sexual victim, gold digger, wicked, or baby mama. We sometimes allow our overall society, colleagues, girlfriends, church members, male counterparts, and our enemies determine our identity. Unknowingly, we begin thinking, feeling, and acting as if we are what they say and what we say about ourselves.
Self-Reflection: I invite you to take some time to
get calm or centered however feels right for you.
Next, if it feels safe, reflect on the identities that
have been prescribed to you. Afterwards, think
about the identities you call yourself.
Who Does God Say I Am?
I would like to take a moment and acknowledge that someone may be reading this blog post that is not in relationship with God. If this is you, I invite you to read the following passages and take some time to see where God is leading you:
1. Romans 3:23
2. Romans 6:23 (a)
3. Romans 5:8
4. Romans 6:23 (b)
5. Romans 10:9-10
6. Romans 10:13
Nevertheless, the first blog post referenced how the Bible is summarized as the creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration of mankind. We continue to be living in “the fall”. Therefore, God knows we are flawed individuals and prone to mistakes. If you are anything like me, I am
not always consistent in my biblical study. However, I do my best to show myself the grace that God shows me daily.
That said, I invite you to take some time to read and meditate on some of the things God says about us. Afterwards, see if it feels right to show Him gratitude and record your thoughts and feelings:
“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have
dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over ]all the earth
and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26, NKJV)
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of
evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV)
“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works,
and that my soul knows very well.” (Psalms 139:13-14, NKJV)
“I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of
Solomon. Do not look upon me, because I am dark, because the sun has tanned me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my
own vineyard I have not kept.” (Song of Solomon 1:5-6, NKJV)
