Who Am I?

In Les Misérables, the protagonist, Jean Valjean, and the antagonist, Javert, both struggle with self-identity. Through the years, Jean Valjean has become a different person with attitudes and behaviors changed by his belief in God. Javert clings to his lifelong beliefs and values in which forgiveness had no place.

In a crisis moment, Valjean faces his past and sings, “Who Am I?”

If I speak, I am condemned
If I stay silent, I am damned!

Can I conceal myself for evermore?
Pretend I’m not the man I was before?
And must my name until I die
Be no more than an alibi?
Must I lie?
How can I ever face my fellow man?
How can I ever face myself again?
My soul belongs to God, I know
I made that bargain long ago
He gave me hope, when hope was gone
He gave me strength to journey on. 

Who am I?

( I would list the lyricist for this song, but since every site I saw listed someone else, I gave up.)

What he was no longer has a hold on him as he establishes his faith once and for all, confesses his true identity, and lives. Unable to accept man’s ability to reform, Javert has no hope and gives up life.

I saw this musical many times. Each time, I was brought to tears because of the musical’s intense emotion and thought provoking concepts.

God can change lives and give new purpose, but here’s the tricky balance of life. Javert had strict standards based on right and wrong. Having standards of behavior and attitudes that are Biblically based are never wrong. But as Jesus said of his adversaries, they had forgotten the most important thing – love.

Like Jean Valjean, it’s okay to ask, “Who Am I?” He wasn’t who he was. From day to day, neither am I. Every moment, I should be changing, growing, and allowing God to mold me into the mature Christian He has purposed me to be.

But more important than who I think I am, how does God describe me? As a believer and according to Scripture, I’m pretty special!

I am made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27

I am a child of God.  John 1:12

I am loved by God with an everlasting love.  Jeremiah 31:3

I am God’s masterpiece and handiwork. Ephesians 2:10

I am chosen by God. Ephesians 1:4

I am a temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in me.  1 Corinthians 3:16

I am complete in Christ.  Colossians 3:4

And that doesn’t even begin to celebrate the me that God has planned for me to become!

Nor does that cover the extent of God’s care for me. But that’s for another day.

I wrote this in first person to keep from being too preachy. That’s a total miss, but it’s all true. The blog is to encourage my kids, grandkids, and others. Don’t be afraid of the changes in life that will shape you. God has you in His hands. And as my daddy always said, “Everything’s gonna turn out all right.”

Be blessed

Grammie