After the wounds have been dealt with, the false identities have been identified, we're ready to begin finding our real identity. Before we can hear from God we've got to clear out all of the lies and distractions fighting for our attention. I love the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19.
"So He said, 'Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave." (1 Kings 19.11-13a)
This event takes place immediately after Elijah's showdown with the prophets of Ba'al on Mount Carmel. God showed up in a mighty way, fire from heaven to consume a soaking wet sacrifice, stones, and a pool of water surrounding it, and then he kills the pagan prophets (I've been using the word pagan a lot recently as it relates to a paper I'm writing for grad school on Old Testament Genocide). The queen, Jezebel, isn't happy and threatens his life, so he books it to Sinai, where God meets him.
God speaks and tells Elijah that He's going to pass by the cave. Three signs of devastating power natural power occur. First a wind that shatters the rocks, but God's not there. Then there's an earthquake which shakes the foundation of the mountain, but God's not there. Then a fire that consumes the vegetation, but God isn't there. Elijah's last experience with God was a mighty display of power, a lot of Elijah's encounters with God were mighty displays of power, but he knew God intimately and personally, and was able to distinguish God's voice from all of the distractions. When we identify the lies that seek to define us, we are able to able to clearly and distinctly hear from God.
Jesus asked His disciples two questions at Caesarea Philippi, "Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'" (Matthew 16.13-15)
The first question looked at the world, people who had heard stories and seen His miracles, but didn't have a deep, personal relationship with Him. The second question was directed at those who were closest to Him, the ones hand picked by Him for intentional, small group style, relational community. These men knew Him on a deeper level than just what He could do, but who He was, and so Jesus asks them "But who do you say that I am?" Again, this isn't Jesus seeking His identity from His followers, He's already gotten that from God, but the principle I'm aiming at here is that we need to direct this question at the one who knows us most intimately, God.
After we have identified the false identities given to us by the world, the ways people have tired to shape our lives, and the things we have come to believe about ourselves as a result, we're able to take the question to God and hear from Him. We've identified the lies of the wind, the misdirection of the earthquake, and the destructive self image of the first, and we're ready to hear the still small voice of God.
Ask God, "Who do you say that I am?"
It can be scary. Elijah covered his face before going out to meet God. For me, I was afraid to ask God, I've gotten really into the enneagram recently (more on this to come sometime in the future on one of the blogs, most likely), but as a type 1 part of my focus is on needing to earn everything, striving for perfection and an ideal, and so being vulnerable to ask God what He thought was scary because there's this fear of not being good enough. But God didn't disappoint Elijah, He didn't let me down, and He won't forsake you.
Identifying the wounds is difficult, it's scary and uncomfortable, and honestly it can hurt. But God is a healer, and if there is pain He causes, it's pain that leads to full healing. God is not malicious, He doesn't cause pain because He enjoys watching us suffer, everything He does is about bringing restoration (more from my paper on OT Genocide).
Identify the false identities and the wounds they caused, let God speak healing and validation into you, giving you your true name.
Who do people say you are?
Who does God say you are?
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
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