Who am I?
Is this just a question for adolescents as they seek to find a seat in the junior high lunch room? Or fit in among the various high school peer groups? Or is it a question asked by emerging adults as they try to set a course for their life? It is a question that all people ponder at various points in their lives, regardless of age. I know there are many days when I ask myself that question (and I am way beyond the EA years.)
Asking who we are springs from our human desire for individuality, or to be known (by ourselves and others). We do not want to be lost in a crowd, but desire to be unique and known. Identity formation is the process of developing a distinct personality in which characteristics are possessed and by which a person is recognized or known. Concepts within identity formation include: vocation, personality, sexuality, community, affiliation, values, and beliefs. Developing one’s identity provides a sense of continuity, a sense of uniqueness from others, and the ability to seek affiliation. Identity formation is crucial to maturation and personal well-being.
Identity formation has often been seen as something done during the adolescence and confirmed by early adulthood. Recently, the concept of identity formation being completed by early adulthood has come under scrutiny. Although adolescence and emerging adulthood appear to be the lifestages when many crucial decisions are indeed faced, identity formation develops throughout an individual’s lifetime. Speaking on identify formation, Schweitzer notes,
…identity formation turns out to be a flexible and, most likely, a lifelong process. As the experience of transitional periods in life has multiplied-with changes of profession, new trainings, second and third marriages, and so forth—the need to rework and to reestablish one’s identity has also become an enduring task never to be quite completed. (Schweitzer, 2004)
Identity formation is not a single task, or something that is completed during adolescence, but is something that continues throughout the individual’s life.
In our world, many adults are judged who make changes in later life stages. They are often accused of having a mid-life crisis, or being shifty, disingenuine, or flaky. While there are people who experience mid-life crisis, the human ability to adapt at any age is healthy. The ability to adapt is a survival skill, rather than a weakness. I know that I am not the same person that I was in high school or college. Making changes in our lives reflect the continual maturation we do as humans, and the sanctification we experience as Christians.
Did Jesus experience a mid-life crisis? He changed from Galilean carpenter to Savior of the World. At all stages of life, Jesus followed the will of His father.
Exploring new directions in life is not a crisis, but could be the leading of God in your life.
Asking who you are is not a reason to panic. Decide today who you want to be. Tomorrow that may change, and that is okay. Through it all, I am “in Christ” which established my purpose and value, and I have surrendered my life to Him. All the other things in life, I am allowed to change.
Resources:
The Postmodern Life Cycle: Challanges for Church and Theology by Schweitzer.
