December 12

   ‘An island in the sea may be but the top of a great mountain.   Personality is like an island, we know nothing about the depths underneath, consequently we cannot estimate ourselves.’ – OC
   For the last few days, OC has been driving home the lesson that we must deny ourselves so that we might follow God. It strikes me that this could be perceived as disfavor for distinction. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
   Yesterday, (or actually, earlier today, sorry for the delay in yesterday’s post.), I discussed the difference between individuality and personality. Recall that individuality is best described as an assumed guise that we strive to maintain. I assuming this guise, we are telling the world to identify us in category, thus saving us from being accountable to criticism of our actual self. It is a defense mechanism which is meant to shield us from our insecurities. Individuality is cumbersome to maintain and gets in the way of our relationship with God for a number of reasons which were briefly expanded on in yesterday’s post.
   In contrast, personality is the vessel in which our true distinction is found. God loves that we are a distinct creation. In fact, we are so distinct, that it is not possible to even know our full selves. Like the mountain that supports the island, we see little of our true selves. Personality is multifaceted and interacts with circumstance in ways that continually surprise us. Only our Creator can know our whole personality.
   There is a rather striking irony here. In order to know Christ in a daily, living relationship, we must deny ourselves. In knowing Christ, we discover ourselves. It is as though the leg braces have been removed from polio ravaged legs. We remove the artificial brace of our assumed guise and trust in Christ instead. In so doing, we come to a greater appreciation of His creation which is ourselves.
   I can personally testify to this remarkable transformation. Since I began actively seeking a relationship with Christ two years ago, (Which actually began as an attempt to revive a faith that had been diluted to Pascal’s Wager) I have gradually lost my individuality. I no longer identify myself as anything other than me. I am happy with whom I am and I understand to a greater extent the circumstances I find myself in because I have come to realize that they are not necessarily central to me.  I have a sense of peace that I have never known before.
   I trust in Christ and I look forward to discovering more of my hidden mountain.