I’ve been pondering a lot lately about identity and how one comes to identify with a group or a title. What got me started on thinking about this was a desire to begin training for a half marathon this Fall.
Though I may not look like someone who might frequently run, this will be my 6th half marathon. That’s part of my problem. I want to be runner but am somewhat convinced that because I don’t look like one, I am not. So I began listing the things I’m trying to do in order to become a “runner” (beyond the obvious thing of ‘running’).
- I own a large attire of running clothes.
- I have special running shoes.
- I have a special running app for logging all my runs and stats.
- I have a running playlist on Spotify that matches my running cadence.
- I study running cadences.
- I have special hair bands for running.
- Running is a part of my weekly schedule. Short runs on Tuesday/Thursday/Fridays, and long runs on Saturdays.
- I read running blogs and research strides, warmups, and recovery activities.
- I make homemade electrolyte solutions for post-run recovery.
So I am a runner, right??? Why can’t my brain accept this list and identify with a runner’s identify?
Because I’m slow. And I look wimpy and kind of sloppy when I run. And I’m chunky. And I’ve only been in active training for seven weeks.
So what is the turning point of identity? When does one’s brain go from not identifying with something to embracing the identity? This is my question! There are soooo many parallels to our spiritual walks I don’t even know where to start! But I will keep pondering this and come back with more next month.
Leah
Director of Worship & Media