Freedom and the Godly Woman: 3 – The Born (Again) Identity

(What is it to be a godly woman in an ungodly world? This question inspired me to invite some talented writers to contribute their responses. Shirley R. Evans, based in Manchester, is first and foremost passionate about seeing Kingdom impact in her local community. Inspired by the question,Inspired by the question, in the first part Shirley embarked on getting the gospel basis. In part 2 definitions and the role of love were explored …  Shirley continues here in considering the question of identity, freedom and the woman of God … For His Name’s Sake, Shalom, C. L. J. Dryden)

Freedom 2 – Identity

I am a first-generation British child born to West Indian parents who emigrated to the UK in 1960s. Anyone raised in this position born in the late 60’s will probably get immediately where I am coming from.  You sit astride two cultures, in a society where only one of those cultures in promoted positively and valued.  All children want to “fit in” and blend but somehow within the white society you never felt as though you really belonged.   

It’s interesting that as I am writing this, the issue of identity is once again headlining all over the globe following the death of George Floyd played out on the screens for the world to see. The struggle is, to all intents and purposes, ongoing.  The world sees your colour first and a whole host of assumptions are made as to who you are.  Then as I grew and moved out to experience the wider world I didn’t quite “fit” with my heritage background.  Who knew that the definition of black was to live in a certain area and be sold out to foods of West Indian origin and to view life a certain way? Anything else got me wearing labels such as “coconut”

So, Christ came so that I could be free.

I’m not defined by my struggles of being a British born child to West Indian parents I am defined by my identity in Christ.  I am accepted into the beloved and adopted into the family of God.  This family is not based on any colour or distinctions of nationality.  I deliberately do not use the term race because I understand that God only made one race – the human race!  All constructs and distinctions of colour used as the basis to divide and classify are devised by man.

In this new family the blood of Jesus runs through my veins, I am loved unconditionally and belong to a family united by the love of God.  I have all the resources of heaven at my disposal.  In this family I am always at home. The bond is not culturally or national but a shared heritage in the resurrected Christ & all the blessings of heaven.

That’s not all though … (to be continued)

(Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash)

Shirley R. Evans