I was born in a Shona community, and did my primary school in that same community. I lived among the Ndebele, Kalanga and English-speaking communities in Bulawayo for 22 years. I went to different schools and colleges with multiple cultures and ethnic groups. I travelled to different countries in Africa and visited places with different values, traditions and practices.
I am now in the UK, a multi-cultural community. With this experience, I am wrestling with the question of ‘What is my identity?’
The identity of a person is shaped by one’s background or by the people one would have lived together with for a long time, or the training one would have acquired for some time.
The issue of identity has caused many problems in the world today. The songs we sing as nations have styles of expressions which show pride of our identity and in most cases, they are sources of inspiration. The words in our national anthems speak with a loud voice how proud we are as humans about our identity.
There is always a tension and conflict between those who live the cities and those who live in the countryside. The experiences of those who live in the cities are guided by facts rather than values. Those in the cities are conscious of change and movements of lifestyles.
My question remains the same in such a world of competing lifestyles. What is my identity? How best can we link our past with the present and the future and remain relevant to our world today. We are in a world where sacred stories may not mean anything to a postmodern generation.
The stories in the Bible may not appeal to their conscience of what the scripture is all about. The world of science and reasoning has changed the Biblical imagination of a God who speaks to his people about faith and human values as an expression of the Kingdom of God.
The identity of a person is no longer determined by one’s historical background stories. Life is changing very fast. My life in the diaspora has already changed from my experiences at home in Zimbabwe. I am proud of my background but that does not stop change.
My memory of home is important because I love my roots, and nothing can replace one’s home. Home is always the best.
I am packing my suitcase to go home on the 18th of November for my daughter’s graduation ceremony on the 21st of November. I had a lovely conversation with family and friends that I will see them soon. Through that conversation I have already realised that so many things have changed. Change is inevitable everywhere. I am finding myself in between the two worlds with a sense of identity crisis. I am still learning lifestyles in the UK but already things have taken a significant change at home. So where is my identity?
God is the creator and sustainer of our lives. God is at work in the world to restore our identity in him. Our identity should be rooted in our relationship with God. We were created in his image. He created us all for a purpose. God has revealed his love to us through his creation. The beauty of creation is mysterious, tremendous and fascinating.
God has come down to be with us through his son Jesus Christ. We are called to show justice to God’s creation and all humanity. The God we worship is the God who is with us in all our life experiences. Experiences may change but God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We have inherent value and dignity in him through his son Jesus Christ. His love for us is central to our identity. The Bible speaks extensively about our identity. God engages you from where you are today, from your experiences here and now to shape your identity.
Enjoy your identity in Christ!