Who am I ?

"Stand up, take your stretcher and walk." John 5: 8

Men have always asked themselves this question. Do we have to find our identity and the meaning of our lives by looking at ourselves (our character, our aptitudes) ? As Christians, should we rather seek what Christ wants to do with us and work with His help ? Let us take three examples.

- The Infirmary of Bethesda (John 5) : After 38 years spent around a pool waiting for recovery, this man, who "had no one," is healed by Jesus. To him who was a handicapped, the Lord has just given a valid status. And he asks him to behave immediately as such : "Get up, take your stretcher and walk," the Master tells him. It is not by staying with his swimming pool that he will be able to advance in life, but by rising resolutely to begin his new existence as a man delivered from his illness.

- The demoniac of Gadara (Mark 5) : Jesus put an end to the terrible situation of this man by delivering him from the multitude of his demons. Again, far from encouraging him to introspection, the Lord entrusts him with a mission - and most delicate ! "Go to yours" to tell them, not what he had felt before or felt now, but what the Lord did for him. Speak of Christ and not of his states of mind !

- Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9) : Ultra-orthodox Jew, arrested by Jesus while he persecutes Christians. In a few moments, his vision of the world is totally transformed and he recognizes Jesus as Lord. Without waiting, the divine word enjoins him : "Arise," to go to the Gentiles (Acts 26: 16-18). Yet what interior reconstruction work for Paul! Think of his remorse for persecuting the Church, for his change of perspective, he the Orthodox Jew who passes from the Law to grace. All this, Paul will live it well, but with his new identity : "For me, to live is Christ" (Phil 1:21).

It is important to realize that we have a new identity, that of children of God. So let us live our new life actively, animated by the love of Christ and others. It is in this way that we will know and appreciate, more and more, what Jesus did and is doing in us.

Source (To pleasing the Lord)