Identity / Security

This topic has been nagging me for several months now but due to laziness and other things, it’s only now that I am able to lay this entry down.

In a fast-paced and dynamic society that we presently live in, it is not unusual for people to find themselves something or someone they can identify with. Be it a celebrity or an inanimate object, we usually feel good if we find something or someone that we can identify with.

The issue is this: I’m quite certain that almost all people know that there is nothing permanent in this world and yet, people try so so hard to find their identity and security on these non-permanent things:

School:

In the last UAAP Cheerdance Competition, a lot of people were expecting that this certain university will bag the first place. Almost everyone was saying that it will almost be a no contest because this university has already won several times and they were not seeing any threats from other institutions.

Then BAM. They lost.

The same thing goes for the basketball teams and their fans who shout their lungs out during the matches. Students even lash each other out on social networking sites, talking trash and making an excuse that it is called school pride. Sure, school pride is good but why do students get disappointed, depressed or angry for a few weeks if their team loses as if they have put their hope and future on their school alone? Maybe you’re saying that I’m just bitter or jealous that I came from a poor-and-almost-inadequate state college that’s why I’m able to say this and that I don’t know anything.

Well, maybe. 😉

Maybe they lacked practice. Maybe they were under a lot of pressure. There can really be no concrete answer. But the example I gave just shows that you can never, be it a person or an institution really remain on top of the pedestal. Once your on the top the pressure will you eat you to remain on the top.

Gadgets and Tech:

Guilty as charged.

Samsung, Apple, LG, Sony, Cherry Mob.. Hmm.

These are some of the tech companies that are on a constant race on who will release “The Next Big Thing”. Almost on a monthly basis they release new gadgets like mobile phones, flat TV’s, etc. that make our lives a lot easier. People nowadays try their best to be in the trend with the latest gadgets, as if they see their worth based on the mobile phone that they have.

You’re considered as Mr. Awesome if you have an Apple Xperia Galaxy G II Phone. (Wait, what?)

Just so you know, I love technology. I’ve been praying for a decent laptop for an N number of years now but I still don’t have it (Update: I got it!). I’ve been drooling over a phone that has touch-less control that can make a call without even touching it. It’s not available in the Philippines, but be it available, I will not be able to afford it.

Yes, aside from point #1, people (including myself) identify themselves based on the technology that they have on their homes or at the palm of their hands. Once again, this is not bad at all. Given a choice, I too will love to have something that will make my life a lot easier, like checking on Facebook without going to a computer shop. But the thing is we rely too much in it. We forget how to interact in an old-fashioned way, people lose sleep because they just cannot tapping that refresh button to see if their friends have updated their statuses, if your favorite celebrity tweeted something interesting.

Occupation/Profession

“Greener Pastures”

These two words have become so common during job interviews especially in BPO’s. Young professionals (again, including myself) hop from one job into another searching for better offers, salary and benefits. I used to work for an NGO and now I am working in one of the, let me say BPO’s with a good reputation. It’s pretty obvious that what I have been receiving when I was working in an NGO is nothing compared to what I am receiving now. I mean it should not even be compared.

Here are some questions though:

Is your job going to secure you in the future?

Does hopping from one occupation to another will make you contented?

Are you even sure that given your company’s stability, will it never ever close and become bankrupt?

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I only named 3 but there are still a lot of things and factors out there that people chase desperately just find their identity and security. Sadly most of their lives end without coming even close to it. As a Christian, here’s something I realized:

Philippians 3:8 (New International Version)
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you should be detached to the modern world unless you want to be a caveman. What I am trying to point out is that we must make it a point to find our identity in The One who created us. We should find our security to The One who despite our sin and flaws chose to save us. Whatever this world has to give, however enticing, is nothing and will never come close to the identity and security that Christ has given us when he died on that cross.

Psalm 62:1-2
1 Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him.
2 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.