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Writer's pictureJoe Palmisano

Who Are We?


Theme: Our perspective of who we are affects all we are, think, and do.


One of the top running backs in the nation and a Heisman Trophy favorite, Ashton Jeanty, recently sat down with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to discuss the "ultimate transformation" he underwent and how he credits his faith for that change. ... "I like to say that I’m a Christian cleverly disguised as an All-American running back," Jeanty said.


"I’ve learned that God has blessed me with amazing talents. I’ve just been able to do many great things with it, but at the same time, not losing myself in it and understanding that my identity is in Christ." ... "Once I decided to give my life to Him and change my ways, it’s been an ultimate transformation.”


"You don’t have to be perfect to come to God, but all you have to do is trust in Him and have faith in Him, and He will change your life. I feel that everything that I am doing now is because of that. I have been able to do some great things on the field, but beyond that, He has changed my life. He has changed my views and my personality. I was not really a man before. I was just a boy. But now I feel like a man and a man of God."


Are you and I a football player, engineer, teacher, lawyer, doctor, homemaker, or janitor who happens to be a Christian? Or are you a Christian cleverly disguised as (insert profession here)?


I thought of this yesterday as we celebrated giving and being outwardly Kingdom-focused because how we envision ourselves affects how we see our neighbors, whether friends or enemies. When Ashton Jeanty sees himself as being one in Christ who happens to be playing football, his actions and desires become reversed from normal, worldly reactions, behaviors, and expectations.


The same is true for our church in how we constantly give with Coats n Boots, Thanksgiving Bags, Back to School, Serve Days, North Carolina Relief, and so much more. No one asks, “Are those receiving our gifts Christians? Are they morally pure? Do they believe as I do? Will they even appreciate what we are doing for them?” The answer is that we do not because, at that moment, we are acting as Christians who happen to be disguised, not as worldly beings needing thanks, admiration, and confirmation that like-minded folks appreciate our gifts. We give regardless, to friend or enemy, to those who appreciate and those who do not. As Christ fed thousands who later turned and walked away from Him, we are called to feed and clothe all our neighbors, and all are our neighbors.


Ronald and Shelly Miller, and so many more, have chosen to live boldly without much of the worldly disguise. Their family has discarded the disguise and donned a neon sign saying, “I belong to Jesus, and I want you too!” Yet, Satan will also work on them and convince them that they are Missionaries first, who happen to be Christians. No one is immune to this attack of perspective.


Therefore, we must be in His Word and commune with Him daily to keep our correct view of ourselves and, thus, others. We must realize that knowing who we are will affect how we act, value our lives, and discern who our neighbors are. It will affect how we hold our possessions and what we expect and need from others. Let us remember the feeling we all share of unselfishly giving to those we could not see or know and did not care.


After all, One gave to us who were once enemies of Him.


 


Scripture: Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬, Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬


“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”


“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

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Prayer:


Lord, open my eyes to who I truly am. This world works hard to blind me and make me think I am something I am not by reminding me of who I once was. When it does, it only shows me memories of happiness, power, and satisfaction while hiding the damage, grief, and remorse. Holy Spirit, show me the truth of what I was and who you have made me. And as I grow in you and the truth of who I am, my scope of who my neighbors are will widen, and my view of the world and its stuff will diminish. Praise God!


Amen.

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