Broken Mindset

Last weekend we launched our church’s single’s ministry with an event called Hardwired. It’s a Q and A event where singles get to ask questions about their identities and the things that they go through in this season of their life. Hardwired will also be the name of our group. I was tasked to explain the meaning of hardwired to the group. I figured I’d share here some of the things I talked about that night.

Basically, Hardwired came from the thought that we are all God’s creation and consequently we all find our identities in Him and Him alone. He is the master potter (Isaiah 64:8) and we are His clay, He hardwired us the way we are. It is almost like looking in a pond of water directly seeing His reflection.

Sadly the things of this world has sent ripples in that pond and our view of our identity became distorted in a sense. Now we are deceived to take our identities from other things.

I listed some of the top things where we take our identities.

Our job. Suddenly we are defined by our location in the org chart. We cannot wait to attend gatherings and hand out our business cards- because there, our prestigious titles are written and somehow the people who will read it will have an idea how relevant we are- because it is defined by what we do. Our businesses, our careers. Do you hold a high position where you work? I know exactly a man who also holds a high position, let us see how he dealt with it:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! [Philippians 2:5-8, NIV, emphasis added]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking pride in our work, but if it becomes a barrier in our relationships with people or if it slowly defines who we are as a man or a woman, then, something has to be done. Go back to your real source of identity.

Our bank accounts. It’s funny how a high school reunion can become a subtle contest of who earns more. Have you ever felt that when young professionals gather, although they do not actually say it out loud, the conversations slowly becomes about the things they own now and how much money they can spend comfortably? I do. Oh, and sometimes I am in that conversation too! It’s surprising where our pride takes us sometimes I tell you. You don’t have to earn much to boast, you just need to have the “show money” (or the show gadget, or show car, or show clothes) to prove it. Where do we put our identity on? The fleeting riches of this world? I know another man,named Job- one of the wealthiest man during his time, let us see what he has to say about finding his security in his bank account:

“Have I put my trust in money
or felt secure because of my gold?
Have I gloated about my wealth
and all that I own?

“Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies,
or the moon walking down its silver pathway,
and been secretly enticed in my heart
to throw kisses at them in worship?
If so, I should be punished by the judges,
for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven. [ Job 24-28, NIV]

Are we making our money our spokesperson? Don’t make your paycheck your ID.

Relationships. “You complete me..” says a famous movie line. Question is who? Who completes us as a person? Is it your partner?

Many singles today have needs to be met! So we enter in relationships hoping we get what we want and eventually our identity becomes complete, right? Nothing wrong with that. Well, nothing wrong with that when the other person can still deliver- but guess what? That person will definitely FAIL you soon. When they do, we jump to someone else. Vicious cycle. The only way to break that cycle is to get your needs met from someone who is never lacking and who will always deliver- not like “Santa Claus” deliver, but like a “floodgate” type of deliver! Read Psalm 23 and find out how King David got his needs met through an intimate relationship with his Maker.

Get your cup’s fill from The unlimited fountain and you will never get anything again from anywhere else! You will find that needs will soon become overflows to give away: love, time, attention, etc.

Let me share what my friend wrote once:

“I have not come to answer all your questions. I have come as the answer to your deep desires. I AM your deep desires.” ~~God [S.A. posted on G+ on 10/10/11 6PM]

Singles, let us get our hardwired identities from the right source!

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hardwired, identity, job, Job 24-28, Money, Philippians 2:5-8, Psalm 23, relationships, security, singles