What is an Identity?

Malvern Community,
 
I turned 50 a few months back. 
 
Since then, I’ve had people asking if I feel different? The truth is that I do. 
 
I don't recall feeling this after other birthdays, but somehow leaving my forties behind suits me.
 
In a peculiar way, I feel like I’m arriving in myself. I do feel older, and I like it. 
 
I know this is a bit ridiculous because, of course, I’ve always been myself. But throughout my adult life, I’ve simultaneously felt older than I was, even as I occasionally felt like there was a young boy inside. I don't mean to imply that I was mature, as I know this is very much a mixed bag. We’re all complex. 
 
But I've always enjoyed getting older and when looking back I have mostly seen naiveté and felt regret. I’ve had to learn to be kinder to my younger self.
 
You will have your own feelings about your own age, be it 17, 29, 48, 64 or 87. What interests me today is that it is just another aspect of life that causes us to reflect on our identity.
 
Identity is a contested topic in our modern world, but it's also been a topic of deep reflection throughout human history.
 
It's the big question: Who am I?
 
This Sunday we start a new series exploring the issue of identity, especially the glorious liberating benefit of finding an identity in Christ. I’m really looking forward to it.
 
By the way, to mark by 50th, I’ve created a playlist of 50 songs that really resonate, if it's of interest. You can find them here:
 
‘Fifty’ on Apple Music
‘Fifty’ on Spotify
 
Tim