Who am I?

Hey Everyone,

Well about me… hmm… I guess this is where I’m supposed to turn those thoughts in my head about my identity into letters on a screen.

Identity, what is that really?
What makes me, me?

I guess I could start with the things that most would characterize me by:
Athlete.
Male.
Church-goer.
Maybe even a little crazy.

Or what my friends think of me:
Busy.
Energetic.
Fun.
Crazy.

My family might say:
Loud.
Annoying.
Moody.
Without a doubt crazy.

Those who know me best would call me:
Loving.
Dedicated.
Emotional.
Clinically insane.

Then there is what I think I am:
Athlete.
God-follower.
Screw-up.
Beyond help.

These are all things about me and all of these probably have some truth to them. I guess I’m not actually crazy although I may have my times where crazy would describe me perfectly and I’m sure some of you can attest to that. If I’m honest with you most of the time I feel like the latter part of my own self-description. I feel helpless and unforgivable. Caught in perpetual sins and trapped despite trying to get out. I’m not perfect and I screw-up time and time again. These feelings and thoughts have become an identity for me, they’ve become who I think I am or better yet, I’ve become what I am perceived as.

Yes, I am a sinner and nothing in me is good, but lets not forget about the one who’s blood covers mine (and your) iniquities. My identity isn’t who people think I am, my skill set or even the things I’ve done in the past. My identity is founded in Christ and anchored in His love. I am not who I am now or what I’ve done in the past. No, my identity is who God has in mind for me to be in the future and who he is making me right now.

I was:
A sinner.
A hypocrite.
Broken.
Messed-up.
Screwed-up.
Unlovable.

God is making me:
Blameless before Him.
Capable of following His desires.
Strong.
Forgiven.
Washed clean.
Accepted.
A friend of God’s.

So if you want to know who I am, I am Canadian, I say sorry a lot and I love bacon! I am a hockey player, bike-rider, rugby player and athlete. I am stubborn, energetic and outgoing. I am emotional, relational and encouraging. I am a hard-worker, determined and tenacious. I am a forgiven-sinner, a friend of God and His hands and feet in the world. My name is Aaron Braun but I am better identified as a son of the most high God!

Who are you?
Leave a comment to let me know.