18 - Embracing Humility and Identity

In the essence of Christ's journey, there is a profound lesson of humility and identity. Jesus Christ, in His divine wisdom, did not cling to His equality with God as if it were a prize to be jealously guarded. Instead, He chose a path of self-emptying, embracing the role of a servant. This act wasn't a denial of His divinity; rather, it was an affirmation of His secure identity in God. Christ had no need to grasp tightly to His status, for He was fully aware of who He was, unthreatened by the notion of loss or diminishment.

This principle of secure identity and the relinquishment of ego is a vital lesson for us as followers of Christ. Understanding our true identity in Him allows us to release our grip on the constructs of our former selves—our past, our achievements, and our worldly positions. In recognizing who we are in Christ, we find no reason to harbor pride or arrogance based on our standing before God. The ultimate liberation in Christ comes when we let go of our self-focused existence, freeing us from the constraints of self-preservation and the illusions of ego.

The ego, by its nature, is driven by a perpetual need for defense and affirmation, fearing any form of loss. It lives behind a fragile facade, the illusion of self-importance. In contrast, our spiritual selves, freed from the ego's grasp, embody genuine life and authenticity. There is no need to safeguard what is eternal and unassailable. As spiritual beings, our value and our place in the universe are not diminished by worldly trials or the fleeting measures of success defined by society. Our identity, secured in Christ, transcends the temporary constructs of this world.

We are called to a higher existence, one not anchored in earthly measures of worth but in the eternal assurance of our spiritual heritage. This world, with its transient glories and statuses, is not our final abode. We are citizens of heaven, and our true value is immeasurable and secure in God's kingdom. In Christ, we are liberated from the fear of loss, for what we have in Him is incorruptible and eternal.

By letting go, just as Christ did, and embracing our role as servants and lights in the world, we step into the fullness of life He intends for us. Jesus Himself proclaimed this promise, saying, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." In emptying ourselves of our egos and earthly identities, we open our hearts to experience the abundant life Christ offers—a life of true freedom, purpose, and joy. In this act of humility and trust, we align ourselves with Christ's example, becoming conduits of His love and grace in a world yearning for authenticity and meaning.