Whose We Are?

UV 1358/10,000 Whose We are?
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1 v 21
Each of us is so small a part of a much, much larger canvas or universe that to determine whose we are is more important than who we are. Knowing whose we are will in fact establish who we are or our identity will be revealed and defined therein, our purpose discovered, the mystery of our destiny unveiled. Paul knew that he belonged to Christ who revealed Himself in a blinding vision to him while he was on the road to Damascus to arrest and persecute the early followers of Christ. He now realized that his life was meant to serve the Lord and to make Him known. It was the defining moment of his life. Each of us need to have such a defining moment in our lives when we will clearly know whose we are. It brought about a change of direction for Saul who later became St Paul. He continued on his journey to Damascus but his purpose changed. He went to receive healing of his spiritual blindness. His great zeal without knowledge had blinded him with hatred. Hereafter, zeal combined with knowledge would take him on many eventful journeys to make Christ known through the then known world. Christ, the very Christ he hated had become the “be all and end all” of his life.

Paul knew his destiny or the end of his earthly sojourn would take him to an infinitely better place. Therefore, he considered to die would be like a promotion where he would receive the reward of eternal life. He viewed bodily death as an opportunity to experience eternal life. He would meet with his Lord and Saviour. Yet he preferred to make the sacrifice to continue to live so that his life’s purpose would be fulfilled in making Christ known. A change in perspective had transformed the ace persecutor into the leading messenger of Jesus. His former perspective was that he needed to kill, torture, chase and persecute the followers of the new fangled faith in order to prove his zeal for God. It brought him the approval of the Jewish hierarchy and his then master, the high priest. The new perspective and his new vision, passion and mission brought him the approval of God.

Every believer needs to do a cost-benefit analysis of his or her life as a whole and invest it where it matters most. The change in perspective will give us courage, confidence and calmness as we face the big hurdles and challenges that come our way in pursuit of our vision, passion and mission in this life. We will be able and equipped to run with our eyes fixed on the author and finisher of our faith. Whose we are will determine who we are and what we gain or lose.

Prateep V Philip