What is your Identity?

As I was preparing a talk on the life lesson of Jonah, the opening lines of the book caughtmy attention. It reads,“The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai…” I mused,it could have just stated, “The word of the Lord came to Jonah and then continued on…”but the Scriptureminutely mention his dad’s name.The phrase that gripped my mind was that of Jonah’s identity as Amittai’s son. He carries an image of his family’s root that cannot be erased. He was recognised by his family line.He was not merely carrying a self but a people and a lineage. Our society is also one such that our roots to our tribes and clans aredeep-seated.Onepersoncommits the act of rape, stealing, killing, black business and so on. The next thing to follow is predictable: “Whose son or daughter is he/she? What tribe does he/she belong to? Where does he/she reside?”Although, these are valid questions being asked or enquired by one and all, the denouncement sometimes reach to the extreme edge where the whole tribe’s name are being dragged into or epithet with.The tribe of the accused hush up in shame. So why can’t we just blame or judge the person and not the family or the tribe?” But sadly, that’s impossible because we are an offshoot of our progeny. Another Naga succeeds in his/her endeavours, the laurels and accolades are not circumscribedto the individual but to all the kinfolks. This fact remains.No matter how insignificant you think you are, you represent the people you originate. Your interrelation with other communitiesas individualsrevealsthe identity of your tribe. The walls of tribalism will crumble down once we begin to eliminate the negative attitude of trying to pick out the speck in someone’s eyeshaving the conscious of a log of wood in our own eyes. Instead of microscoping the sins of others, we must begin to appreciate the noble qualities of each communities. Unity is possible so long as we are ready to embrace it. However, if we are continually in the habit of biting and devouring one another, beware that we do not consume one another.I vividly recall the times spent in my theological training at Bangalore. People perceive us as a group of Nagas and never as this/that tribe. Unity is much prevalent. But the sad fact is thatsome have misrepresented our real ethics and culture to the outsiders. They are not hesitant to label us, “Nagas-amorally loosecommunity, lassesso cheap.” You would say, that’s not fair but the datum remains because of some who doesn’t represent the Nagas well. As is written in the Scriptures, “God’s name is blasphemed among the pagans because of you,” may be the right word to address here. Nonetheless, even if we point fingers now, two wrongs do not make a right. Therefore, our concern is not to those bad images but to paint a new portrait of who we really are. Yes, in the ancient days, people perceive us ashead hunters but now it’s a different story with thedawn of Christianity. Now we are not merely representingNagas but Christ. Therefore, it is imperative that we live our life by truly setting forth a clear picture of what Christ’s follower should correspond.Dr.Ravi Zacharias in his book, “Can Man live without God,”recounts a story of a village where Christianity was not welcomed because of the atrocities committed by the so-called Christian radicals. Thisreligious fanatics, in the name of the Almighty depicting the banner of the cross vow to kill if they would not abide by their laws. A man named Chekov lost all his family because they refused to acknowledge their threats. The village was torn by death and dearth. Years later, a missionary pass by that village and preached to them. Chekov strongly countered, “I have nothing to do with your Christianity,” giving a gazillionsof argument why he rejected Christ to which the missionary wiselyanswered, “Suppose a man woreyour coat and killed a stranger and your coat stained with blood was taken as an evidence for the soldiers to arrest you. The soldiers are at your door claiming that you are the murderer because it’s your coat…” “I know what you are trying to get at,” replied the man irritably. The missionary left him but would return time and again to help the villagers in rebuilding their homes showing them Christ’s love until one day the man knelt down, tears rolling down his face uttered, “You wear his coat very well.”The man could not refute the missionary’s life well-preached. None of our rhetoric or argument in the podium or our voices in the air will have an impact until and unless we begin to wearthe true identity which we have found in Christ. Can people say of us, “You do wear his coat well!” VebuKhamo Kohima Bible College.