Lately, issues of identity have been making headline news. Bruce Jenner becomes a woman. As it turns out, the now ex-leader of the NAACP Rachel Dolezal isn’t even black. Despite what race or gender these individuals were born with, we are told that it’s not the issue. Rather, the issue is how they “identify.”Jenner identifies as female and Dolezal has stated that she identifies as black.
*Before I dive in to my thoughts on this subject, please know that my desire in writing this post is to simply express my viewpoint and to generate some healthy thought-provoking discussion. I am aware that many will not agree with my views. Let’s just keep the discussion respectful. Please and thank you.*
Recently, my pastor touched on this subject and mentioned that there are two issues at play here: an issue of identity and an issue of truth. I think he’s right. I believe that each human being was designed with purpose and intentionality. I believe that God didn’t make a mistake when He created us. If you were born male, I believe there is a reason for that. If you were born white or black, I believe there was purpose in that. I recognize though, that within all of us, there are those areas of our physical and personality make-up that make us uncomfortable in our own skin. For most, the issue isn’t as extreme as a problem with their gender or race, but if we are honest, most would agree that there are aspects about themselves that they wish they could change. We tell people that they are beautiful the way they are. We tell people that they need to love themselves and to develop a healthy body-image and self-image. We coach young girls and boys in raising their self-esteem. Why should it be any different when it comes to one’s gender or race? Like it or not, your gender and race are things that you are born with. In my mind, a compulsion to change the most basic traits of your design and make-up is a form of self-hatred. I understand some may think my viewpoint is extreme, but if you are unable to love yourself without the help of surgery, make-up, or an extreme makeover, I think that’s a problem. Instead of encouraging people to spend thousands of dollars to change their gender or race, I think we should be focusing on championing individuals to love who they were designed to be.
I think about my own struggles with my physical design and personality. There are certain aspects of my body that I love and those I am less than pleased with. I can tell you that any good friend of mine or positive influence would never advise me to start saving up for plastic surgery until I can love myself. I hear things like “Rock it” and “Own it.”
No amount of surgerical modification or make-up is ever going to make you love yourself.
The second issue I mentioned was the issue of truth. Does anyone else get scared about how much truth is twisted in our society? We live in dangerous times, in which truth is seen as relative. People think that there are no absolutes. Now, even cut and dry matters like gender and race are up for discussion. We live in a day and age where a white blue-eyed girl like myself can make the argument that I am an African-American male. Does anyone see the problem with this?
No matter how far the truth get’s twisted, I am one who chooses to believe that I was designed specifically and intentionally by God who has a unique plan and purpose for my life. When it comes to the things about myself that I am less than pleased with, I dig deep into my heart and into the truths of God’s Word to discover why I was made the way I was made and to love and embrace who I am. I believe that truth is absolute and not subject to the whims of human feeling and opinion. I believe that the crisis of identity and the war on absolute truth is a strategic attempt to rob a generation of their true calling and purpose.
Don’t buy the lie that says you need to change and alter yourself to be comfortable in your own skin. You were born with a purpose. Don’t lose sight of that.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Ps. 139:14)
