Clarksville, TN – Just in case you are wondering, I am not a big fan of movies. My husband, Chris, on the other hand, is a huge fan of movies. If I watch a movie, I am pretty picky about the content. He loves movies of all types and topics. I feel I could be accomplishing so much during the 2 hours of time that passes as I sit watching a movie. To him, watching a movie is a time to escape, relax and hang-out.
So, when we find a movie we both enjoy, it is a reason to celebrate!
Recently, Chris went to see Les Misérables, and when he came home giving it a glowing review, I knew I had to see it. And I have, twice! The film did not disappoint!
As a private voice and piano teacher, there were many musical elements of the film that I enjoyed. However, beyond the music is an amazing message of hope and new beginnings. The song that continues to resonate with me after seeing the film is “Who Am I?” It is a song and a theme that the main character of the film deals with several times.As a criminal, who has received parole, and then underserved pardon, after trying to steal some silver from the home of a priest, he is confronted with the choice to decide who he is going to be. Is he going to revert to stealing and the life of a criminal, or is he going to turn from his past and his crimes and live his life for God? He asks himself “Who am I?” Am I a criminal or will I be a man of honor, a man who seeks what God has intended for him?
Have you ever found yourself in that place? Have you ever been in a season of your life where the you that used to be is gone and a new you must step forward? A season where the way you have always done things, or thought about things must change? A place where staying the same is not an option, moving forward means change.
Or what about trying to fulfill the identity of what our culture says we should be? Do more, be more, have more. The identity of being able to do it all and have it all in a society scrambling to accept all ways of life and all people.
Unfortunately, if I am honest with myself I embrace that call of culture and accepting the identity it says I should have far to easily. Rather than keeping my focus fixed on my true identity in Christ, I allow my heart and mind to wander, and live in such a way that reinforces culture say I should be. After all, the things this world calls me to identify with are tangible. I can measure success, I can see an increase or decrease in my relationships, I can buy the latest techno gadgets and wear the newest fashion trends.
How I can tell if I am keeping up with the standard unless I look at others around me who are trying to accomplish the same thing? Ultimately, this type of living drains my joy, shatters my self-confidence and is just plain tiring!
2 Corinthians 5:17 puts it this way:
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone, a new life has begun.
So now I ask the question…”Who am I?” or maybe the better question is “Whose am I?” Do I belong to the world? No. Do I belong to myself? No. I belong to Christ. And therefore, I need to work hard to resist the call of culture, the call of my own selfish heart and my circumstances to find the person I am in Christ.
I must be determined to seek Him and His best for me. I will be faithful in spending time with Him, reading the Bible and putting into practice what His Word calls me too. This will ultimately draw me closer to the Lord, and fill my life with His purpose, His peace and His identity for me. Then I can truly know “Who I Am.”