“To give thanks to the name of God – this is what it means to be Israel.” Psalm 122.4
Who am I? Who are you?
What do I stand for? What do you stand for?
What do I represent? What do you represent?
What do you and I dream to be?
This week I wondered if we were baseball fans, representatives of the Yankees reveling in victories, sulking in defeats. Is this the one identify that consumes all others? Do we want others to know us as obsessed fans focused on nothing else but winning the World Series? Is this our consuming passion?
This week I wondered about my priorities. Is the daily risk to your or my soul something that consumes my time of personal reflection? Is the reality of death enough to cause me more than a momentary pause? Does taking a stand for what is right rise to a level where I will confront the price paid for any decision? Do I know what I stand for? Do you?
This week I met with people in different countries and in different situations. From England to Italy, rich to poor, bright to casual, and quiet to intense athletics. I found myself in one on one people situations where the thirsts, needs, and dreams all came from the same well. In most encounters I found myself grabbling with how the Spirit would have me respond. I have little confidence that I listened or acted accurately on the Spirit’s thoughts. I am accountable for this loss. What do I represent? Do you have any idea of your own persona?
David knew who he was. He was a child of Israel. David understood what this stood for and represented. It was actually very simple. I believe the answers to our questions are equally simple.
David knew that to be Israel’s child, to be God’s child, means to give thanks. Thanks in times of wealth and prosperity, in times of pain and testing, and when life is a struggle.
We have our identity, now to wear and be it!
