It's one of my favorite stories.
My fiancé, now my wife, Bailey came for a visit to Madagascar in April 2012. One of things I was involved with was a university ministry called Young Christians in Action. YCA for short. Bailey has a powerful testimony. So I asked her to share in one of the meetings. God moved powerfully. Afterwards, three of the young men asked if they could have a ride back to the other side of town where I lived. No problem, but first I had to go downtown to run a couple of errands.
We were hungry and I could imagine my three friends were as well. So I decided that we would all go for lunch. The three amigos jumped at the chance to practice their English. I excused myself to use the restroom as they began chatting with Bailey. Returning to the table I could see the enthusiasm and gratitude in their eyes to be able to spend some time with us while having a good meal. I knew the three were close, but didn't real know the whole story.
Bailey asked the question, "So how long have you all known each other?"
They turned their heads towards each other and chatted in Malagasy for a couple of seconds before the most intrepid of the three decided to respond in his best English possible, "Ah, since we had kids together."
I bit my tongue as Bailey nearly fell out her seat. Of course what they meant to say was, "since we were kids together." Sometimes the verb to have and to be cause non English speakers the most difficulty because of its various usages and differing contexts in other languages. For example, in French we would say literally "I have 30 years", instead of "I am thirty 30 years." In this case I think it was just the excitement of practicing English with Americans and the nervousness of interacting with Bailey that caused the slip up.
To this day it is one of our favorite jokes together. We laugh with joy recalling the three young university students who had kids together those many years ago while growing up.
Both verbs imply identity. I have such and such. I am so and so. What we have and who we are determine much if not most of how we see ourselves. I love to look at Christ and answer the following two questions: Because of Christ what do I have? And secondly, because of Christ who am I?
These two questions when asked in the place prayer will bring illumination to our hearts. Holy Spirit will make our real identity clear. He will teach us about our inheritance, authority, and identity. We will begin to answer these two questions from a place of confidence and certainty. For example, who am I in Christ?
-A son
-an heir
- accepted
-beloved
- child of light
-a chosen generation
- a royal priesthood
- a holy people
-adopted
-a friend of Christ
- a servant of the Most High
And what do I have in Him?
-His righteousness
-Perfect peace
-joy unspeakable
-authority over the demonic
-deliverance from darkness
-an inheritance in the Kingdom of light
-access to the throne of God
-an ongoing invitation to know Him
-power to be a witness
Just to name a few.
Anyone of these is revelation to our identity starved hearts that could be unpacked in an entire series. When we take the time to listen and to ask, He will take the time to answer and impart. Let Him show you your identity in Christ.
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