How Do We Define Ourselves?

How Do We Define Ourselves?

In Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ.

Colossians 2:9-10

It was my first week back with my favorite first graders, and we were sitting around the table catching up when one of them asked, “Are you in college?”

“No, I’ve finished college.”

“Oh, then you’re married.”

Grin. “No. I’m not married.”

The situation was full of intrigue, and everyone began to tune in. Many guesses at my age flew around the room, and someone chimed in, “Are you in high school?”

With help and with proud smiles they finally guessed my age and were willing to believe I was indeed old enough to have finished college. The girl sitting next to me was catching up. “Wait, you’re not married?”

“No.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No.”

“How do you live?” she exclaimed, eyes wide, arms stretched out toward the sky in desperation.

I couldn’t help myself. That was the funniest thing I had heard in a week! I laughed a little as I replied, “I have lots of friends.” I was resigned also to respond, “And I have a job,” not wishing to further instill the idea that we are defined by what we do, but not knowing how else to assuage their confusion about my young, out-of-college-but-not-married status as a person. That did seem to satisfy them, even the wide-eyed girl whose flair for the dramatic completely made my morning. My hope is that she will continue to encounter holistic examples and ideas of what it means to be a woman and a complete person.

—Renea McKenzie

Father, may we find our identities in your Son alone, for only he has the words of abundant and whole life. And as we learn, by your grace, to live fully, may we better bear your image before a lost world. Amen.