Identification

Birds have nests, foxes have dens But the hope of the whole world rests
On the shoulders of a homeless man
You had the shoulders of a homeless man…Rich Mullins; You Did Not Have A Home

Anytime we run out of options it opens the door to identify with Christ. For Christ did nothing in His own power but relied on His Father in all things. Christ “did not regard equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself taking the form of a bond servant…” Christ became poor that we might become rich. Christ was humiliated that He might identify with us. Hebrews says, “We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin (MSG).”

It is our call to follow in Christ’s steps. We are to be incarnational—to minister to those we live with; or to live with those we minister to. It may be that God has us walk through difficult circumstances so that we are humbled and can identify with others. I couldn’t understand the severity of back pain until my own back went out. I relate better to the fear and helpless feeling of the oppressed when I’ve had similar struggles financially and in my career. My brokenness opens the door to identifying with others that are broken; in sexuality, in finances or in the angst produced by everyday living.

I think it was Wycliffe that asked Christ to, “Break my heart with the things that break your heart.” God is working in me to produce seeds of humility that my heart may better be broken. My hope is to enter more deeply into that place. “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps...”-1 Peter 2:21