This is not much different--only be degree--from the person who feels the need to derive their sense of identity and worth from having someone else's name on their clothing, be it jerseys, sneakers, dress shoes, t-shirts, ties, suits, or other articles of clothing.
If you don't know by faith in God that, through Christ, you are acceptable in the eyes of the only One Whose opinion matters, you become subject to the temptation of subordinating your own unique personhood to other people or things, all so that you can feel powerful or worthy.
But God has already shown you your infinite value by sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for you, where he bore the punishment for sin that we all deserve. Then He rose from the dead to open up the perfection of eternal life spent in God's presence to all who trust Christ for forgiveness, life, and the certainty of their worthiness.
Trust in Jesus, not face lifts, hair coloring, sneakers, a career, a house, a car. None of those things can deliver what only Jesus can and does give to those who repent and believe in Him: a certainty of their worth, the presence of God and the support of His Church today, and the promise of life with God beyond death.
[UPDATE: This situation also reminds me of the former Rachel Dolezai, one-time leader of the Spokane NAACP chapter, who, it turned out, claimed to be black when, in fact, she is white. We are all "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), no matter how difficult that may be for us to accept.]
[Blogger Mark Daniels is pastor of Living Water Lutheran Church in Centerville, Ohio.]
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