BORN!

For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given …. (Isaiah 9:6)

BORN IDENTITY (Part 1)

In the first installment of the movie franchise from which this title was derived, Italian fishermen rescue an American adrift in the Mediterranean Sea unconscious from gunshot wounds. They nurse him back to health, but find that he has no memory of his identity or past. The man continues to experience amnesia but demonstrates superior combat skills and fluency in several languages when provoked. He discovers he has several passports bearing different names. Adopting the name on his American passport, Jason Bourne is born (to the viewer at least), and goes on to unravel the mysteries and intrigue surrounding his past amidst a series of daring stunts that showcase his immense physicality and mental agility.

Identity Crisis

A person’s identity is foundational to their existence, for it defines the paradigm on which they operate. Our identity characterizes us, determining our traits, abilities, proclivities and the possibilities that encapsulate our lives. This is overwhelmingly evident in nature, for biology has ingrained in us the like begets like concept of reproduction. This is why we do not expect a pregnant mare to give birth to a bat, nor do we plant corn and expect spinach, apples or a wooden chair.

We live in an era of unprecedented and catastrophic identity crises. Millions around the word have been rendered clueless, paralyzed, confused or uncertain about their origins, destiny, color, race, gender, abilities, value, propensities, marriageability, etc. The problem is not as complex as it appears, for the solution is evident to all who can apply the laws of science and deduction. One of such fundamental laws invites the inquirer to look to its source for the answer to these questions. For example, if the offspring of a tiger seeks to ascertain its identity, proclivities and destiny, it need not look any further than its parents to find these facts. If its parents are inaccessible, carefully examining other animals of similar natural markings and behaviors should readily clarify this uncertainty. (If undesirable behavioral traits are observed in one or both parents, one only needs to note, apply vigilance to contain and work to resolve such undesirable attributes. This is a natural advantage of earthly succession – the ability to improve upon previous generations through careful study, application and remediation).

It follows that the offspring of the infallible, infinitely intelligent God and Creator of the universe (Acts 17:28; Genesis 1:26-28; etc.) would share His characteristics, attributes, and future (if they are agreeable to his predetermined design and plan for their lives), so any confusion regarding their identity, functionality, propensities or destiny should be clarified by His.

The Lion Cub

Several versions of a story exist about an orphaned lion cub who grew up in the jungle amidst a family of zebras. He naturally adapted to the gentle ways of his adoptive family, though he often wondered at the starkly different image staring back at him from the riverbed each time he went for a swim or drink. One day, he heard a thunderous, hair-raising roar that shook the ground for miles and caused him to take to his heels. He was terrified and ran for miles alongside the rest of his jungle family until they got to safety. Later that week, he was frolicking at the edge of another watering hole when he saw a large, majestic creature with a huge mane and a golden coat that glistened in the sun sauntering towards him with a piercing gaze and vice-like determination. The creature seemed hauntingly familiar, but Leo had no time to ponder further because it opened it’s cavernous mouth and roared in such a petrifying manner that the hairs on his back stood straight as he raced away to safety.

This situation became a somewhat regular occurrence, the majestic creature often popping up in the most unexpected places, sometimes alone, sometimes with others that looked like him, but always with an unquestionably authoritative demeanor that exuded indomitability, regality and exceptional strength. The cub could not get over the nagging feeling of familiarity, even while noting that the combined effects of each terror-stricken flight he undertook seemed to result in burgeoning muscles (the equivalent of a feline six-pack, no doubt) and increasing strength, speed, and agility. He had become the most physically dominant member of his adoptive clan; in fact, he was too big and strong to play-fight with his buddies – no matter how hard he tried to parry gently, another animal always got hurt. He had taken to watching longingly while the others played. He only got to participate when a genuine fight broke out and his immensity was needed to separate the sparring parties.

One day, he was relaxing with his friends and family by a river bed and noted with shock why the majestic creature that often came to terrorize them looked so familiar – that same huge creature was staring straight at him from the water’s surface and copying his every movement no less! Leo (at this point, we must give him a name – having followed and become familiar with him, continuing to refer to him at large would be quite rude) leaped back in terror but his legs would not turn to flee as was usually the case when he encountered this intimidant. He remained on the patch of grass where he had landed, too paralyzed to move. After steadying his breath and bolstering a little courage, he inched slowly and surreptitiously towards the river bed, too curious to leave without examining the astounding phenomenon. Was the creature hiding under water, waiting to pounce on him once he got close enough? He slowly and carefully leaned over the edge to take a quick peek, and – viola! The majestic creature was peeking at him too, and seemingly with the same degree of trepidation! Leo was shocked! How could this be?

Man In The Mirror

Mirrors are for observation and accurate reflection. In the hit song of the same title, Michael Jackson admonishes his listeners to look, learn, and make changes – first in themselves and then in the world they seek to change. This can only occur if the image they see accurately reflects what is before the mirror. The iconic leadership expert and New York Times bestselling author John Maxwell, sheds light on this further by what he terms the “law of the mirror.” He explains that your perception of yourself determines the limits of your potential. A clock which thinks of itself as a mere decorative ornament may never display time but will likely remain inert, motionless, unnoticed, and irrelevant on the wall it adorns. The race car that insists it is a toy may never enjoy the notoriety and fame of NASCAR races. The coconut or palm tree that utilizes its freedom of expression to insist that it is a poison ivy vine will never know the resplendence of growing to majestic heights, the respectability of multifaceted and ubiquitous utility, or the personal fulfillment of prolific multiplication and impact.

In a similar vein, seeing yourself as a worthless, weak, and irrelevant minion will result in behavior that reflects this mindset and attracts the mediocrities that surround and support this condition. If you see yourself as valuable and relevant, your gravitational field will naturally attract the behaviors and virtues that support and promote that reality. A distorted self-image attracts negative circumstances and people, and a positive image will attract forces that support and substantiate positive actualities. A lion who thinks he is a house cat or zebra will suffer the limitations of these animals and may never enjoy the supremacy of reigning as king of beasts. On the other hand, a domestic cat or zebra who perceives himself as a lion will attract the honor, deference, and subservient animal kingdom support that characterize dominion, eventually ruling over all the other animals despite his physical appearance and limitations. The lion in him will naturally command and compel all ruling forces toward him.

Proverbs 27:19 and 23:7 corroborate this truth. You are and attract what you perceive yourself to be, so the outcome of your life is largely mirror (which translates to one’s mindset)-dependent. If you want to change your reality, you must begin by changing your perception, but perception is wholly dependent on vision – what you look upon as your reality. If you look to the right source, you become and reflect that reality. If Jesus is recognized and looked upon as your source and standard, He becomes your reality as you gradually become like and reflect Him (2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 12:2). Unlike that of the evil queen depicted in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, your mirror’s response will be a resounding and unfettered “Thou art fairest lady Queen (or lion, or King … as the case may be!), for in your life the glory of Christ is seen!”

The Lion King

Leo leaped backwards again but still did not run or alert his tribe about the the danger lurking under water. He knew he should sound the alarm, but was too fascinated and overcome with a strange, breathless anticipation to do so. For some unknown reason, he felt a compelling need to know this creature; indeed, he was irresistibly drawn to the image in the water despite the grave danger it represented. He crept surreptitiously to the water’s edge again and peered in. The same creature was peering back at him with the same level of trepiditious curiosity. Leo’s head instinctively jerked backwards, but he did not move away from the water’s edge. He stared at the image staring back at him. He cautiously crept forward and the creature did the same. He flicked his head to the right while keeping his eyes glued to the water; the creature did the same (in tandem with his movements). His eyes widened as realization dawned. He flicked his head to the left and the creature did the same. He stuck out his tongue as though about to lap water, and the creature did the same. Leo stared at the water for a long time and then slowly smiled. The creature did the same. He had finally discovered an answer to his many unspoken questions!

Days later, Leo was drinking water at a lush brook when the creature and his associates showed up on the other side of the bank. At his thunderous roar, Leo’s tribe took off for safety, but he did not budge. Heart pounding, he stayed at the brook’s edge, warily observing the group from the corner of his eye. They approached him without changing their majestic pace, and even though his heart beat louder with each step they took, he was somewhat comforted by the fact that they were not immediately charging at him. He maintained his feigned air of nonchalance as he drank from the brook, but his paws were clammy and he broke out in a cold sweat. The large one with the thunderous roar got to him first. He came close to Leo and sniffed at him as he circled around him slowly. To Leo’s astonishment, he felt a warm tongue licking the side of his face in grooming style and camaraderie. He froze for a moment and then melted in the direction of the tongue, his astonished eyes meeting those of the majestic creature. To his utter amazement, the eyes staring back at him with such pride and acceptance were a mirror image of his. Indeed everything about the creature was an exact replica of what he had been seeing each time he looked at the water.

The other creatures arrived and surrounded them, purring contentedly and slathering him with their warm tongues, familial love and generous acceptance. Leo instinctively knew he had come home, or rather, his home had come to him, bearing the reality of his identity and the propensities of his gloriously awaiting destiny. For the first time in his life, he roared. The deafening but delightfully liberating sound was echoed in kind by his newfound family.

The Lion-Human-God King

Jesus Christ, the multidimensional prototypical human being, Lion of the tribe of Judah, God the Son and firstborn among God’s creation (Colossians 1:15-17; Romans 8:29; Hebrews 1:3, 6; 12:2; John 1:14; etc.) exemplified the true essence of being born, as seen in our theme verse above. He wasn’t born as a mere product of physical progeny or biology; His birth was shrouded in prophetic destiny. There was absolutely no equivocation regarding His identity; subsequent parts of the verse and the one following delineate how his identity, names, destiny and roles all interrelated and played out in his life.

I invite you to contemplate the essence of your existence – why were you born? Who is your source? To whom are you sent? What are your names? What roles have you been assigned in your various spheres of influence and seasons of life? What dimension of God do you represent to your world? Are you associating with people of your kind? Are you fulfilling destiny? If Isaiah 9:6 was written about you, what would it reveal?

References for Rumination