Many people I work with believe I have a split personality. Just like the sides of a politician – smooth and slick to the electorate during the heart of a campaign, through the tough rhetoric competing and criticizing an opponent, through the manipulation of everyone as attempts are made to hide the real position on any controversial issues – they are not sure where and when they have seen the “real” me.
I know I am not unique as I see echoes around me. Is it the real person who shows up first thing in the morning? How about right after school? Or is it the true self who bombards everyone around them with passionate screams of joy, anger, or sarcasm – sometimes all at the same time and place? Whatever your belief it can be confusing!
Those who work with me face the same dilemma. It could appear difficult to know exactly where one stands on my list. The logic spans a wide range of emotions. Is he [Bill] so frustrated that there is no point of carry on; sweat, tears, and hard work will not change his perception of me so what is the point? Doesn’t he [Bill] understand how difficult it is, especially when there are so many things that I cannot control? What did I just do that took me from the frying pan into the glory room?
I have similar questions. I wonder about the personalities of my wife and daughter. I find myself facing the unknown as I relate to the relationships in my life. I stand perplexed in front of God.
Who is this God that loves me so intensely that the Word describes how everything was paid, including life itself, for my relationship and yet I seem to be going through hell? This is a God who loves us through thick and thin, who cares enough to be tough.
“The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!” (Revelation 3.19)
