Losing one's sense of identity can be a challenging and disorienting experience. As a pastor, I've seen individuals struggle with feelings of uncertainty and confusion when they're no longer able to define themselves by their roles, relationships, or activities. For example, when Joshua, my 17-year-old son, was going through a phase of questioning his identity, he felt lost and unsure of who he was outside of his friends and school life.
According to Paul Ricoeur, our identity consists of a constancy over time that is rooted in our commitments, roles, or activities. If we lose our sense of identity, it's not because we've changed fundamentally, but rather because we're no longer holding onto those commitments, roles, or activities that defined us. In my experience as a pastor, I've seen people struggle with identity when they've experienced significant changes, such as a job loss, a move, or a divorce. However, it's in these moments of uncertainty that we're given the opportunity to re-examine our values, commitments, and relationships.
As a Christian, I believe that our identity is rooted in our relationship with God. When we lose our sense of identity, it's an opportunity to rediscover who we are in Christ. As the Bible says, "By the grace of God, I am what I am, and what I shall be has not yet been made known" (1 Cor 15:10). This means that our identity is not defined by our circumstances, but by our relationship with God. It's a reminder that our identity is not something that we need to figure out on our own, but rather it's something that's given to us through our faith in Christ.