"`Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar. This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, `I--I hardly know, sir, just at present-- at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.' `What do you mean by that?' said the Caterpillar sternly. `Explain yourself!' `I can't explain MYSELF, I'm afraid, sir' said Alice, `because I'm not myself, you see.'
You may recognize the above exchange from Alice in Wonderland, and it is instructive to us on several levels. First of all, the Caterpillar’s opening question is very pertinent, but, as Alice discovered, often difficult to answer. As Christians, we are many things, including: a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, sons of light, salt of the earth, living stones, partakers of Christ, the light of the world, Christ’s body, God’s workmanship, citizens of God’s household, ambassadors for Christ, slaves of righteousness, and a new creature, among other things.
But, just like Alice, we don’t always feel like we are a part of the above list. Our moods change. We have up days and down days. Hardships come into our lives. We sin. Just like Alice, sometimes it seems like we change often- even several times a day. But these feelings do not change our identity. The Caterpillar really had no patience for Alice’s assertion that she did not “hardly know” who she was, evidenced by his stern comment: “Explain yourself!”
I am so thankful God has patience with us! He has done so much for us, and has made so many promises to us, that we certainly should know who we are in Him. But we let our feelings get in the way sometimes; the devil is a master at making us question our true identity. So, the next time you are not feeling “yourself,” remember that despite your feeling, you are still YOURSELF. You have not lost your identity in Christ.