Identity Issues?

Guys, I really don't wanna bore you but it happens that I've got some spare time, which I graciously use to think about us, the youth of the Adventist church. So I'll share a few important thoughts with you this time. I intended this message for all of us to read and seriously think about. One of the concerns we are all faced with is Adventist identity. Numerous questions come to mind: Who are we as Adventists? What do we believe? What is allowed and what isn't? Why are we different from other Christians? Why is Ellen White important to us? What is the role of girls/women in our church? How do we go about church management and organisation? and so on. The list is long and distinguished.

Bearing in mind the lack of clarity that exists in the Church from time to time, my concern amounts to the question of identity. Unfortunately, there have often been failures in the church to address this issue. As a result, I think it is our duty to clearly define the components of our Adventist identity. Not only that: it is our duty to affirm our identity with passion and confidence. In other words, it is OK to be an Adventist and it is a fantastic thing! We need to know that it is really OK to be where we are--to be who we are! Once we accept this, there will be no need to leave the church at some stage or look elsewhere for meaning and answers. We have it all! But we just need to clearly define both our limits and our possibilities. Hence, I keep asking myself the following question: what does Adventist identity consists of and how do we affirm it?

In response to the first question, I'll explain how I see it. As Protestants, traditionally speaking, there are three interactive forces that circumscribe our identity: God, Family and Business. Each component informs our presence in the world telling us who we are in God and how we could organise our lifestyles effectively. Thus we find at all levels certain suggestions--sometimes commands--that effectively inform our identity. The following is my version of Adventist identity, that is, the context or framework or place within which we confidently situate our lives and convictions:

* Jesus
* Personal (absolute) commitment to God
* Confidence in reasons and explanations as to why we believe in God
* Confidence in reasons and explanations as to why we are Adventist Christians
* Social Responsibility and genuine concern for the society in which we live
* Family
* No premarital sex and related activities
* No non-Christian husbands and wives
* Care and Love
* Temperance and Respect
* Organisation and Support
* Business
* Professional integrity
* Productivity
* Creativity
* Effectiveness

Roughly speaking, each component gives an idea of what the quality of Adventist identity is. Everything outside our Christian identity is what we might call identity failure . God put it like this: "Do not turn aside . . . to the right or to the left . . ." which means do the right thing and all will be good with you. In my understanding this means identity is clearly defined and it is important for you to situate yourself within it. Should you do that, your life will be successfully developed and accompanied by blessings. You will gain much needed stability and focus in life.

Concerning the second question, the question of affirmation and confidence, I strongly believe that we should affirm ourselves as Adventist Christians with confidence in who we are ! In other words, we should affirm our Christian/Adventist identity with confidence that we are doing the right thing that is pleasing both to God and to others. Contrary to what our friends, acquaintances or strangers might comment about our lifestyles and commitments, we should always know it is OK to be an Adventist! Moreover, it is desirable to be an Adventist and this should be emphasised with confidence not with arrogance. My point is this guys: we shouldn't be afraid or ashamed of who we are. Instead, we should be confident and happy with who we are. This way, we'll avoid many problems and false dilemmas in life. God is pleased with us and God loves to see us strong and immovable in our identities based on His character. We should always bear in mind that God is the center of our identity, the One who informs our decisions and directs their results.

God bless!