If you have started something new, you’ve probably had to give it a label.  This is true in all areas of life, from birthing babies to beginning businesses.  I’ve been an entrepreneur a couple of times, and one of the most challenging pieces of the start up is choosing a name…and an identity.

We put a lot of weight on identity.  It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Well, I suggest that a word too can draw as many pictures.

The definition of the word identity, as found in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is very helpful to understanding why it is that we put such significance on choosing our name.

Let me show you some of what this Dictionary illuminates:

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IDENTITY:

1. [a] the distinguishing character or personality of an individual – Individuality

[b] the relation established by psychological identification

2. the condition of being the same with something described or asserted

3. [a] sameness of essential or generic character in different instances

[b] sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing – Oneness

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The emphasis we put on identity has everything to do with our “psychological” (1[b]) “condition” (2) of our “sameness” (3[a] & {b}).  In other words, we strongly believe in being alike.  We categorize sides, labeling good and bad, and, like fifth grade P.E., want to pick the “right” side.  We want to be identified with the winning team.  Being different equals being alone.  Loser!

The choices we make are an attempt to align with the virtues we deem good.

Personal application:  When I was pregnant, I would not consider Callie as a name for my child.  Why?  Callie was my great grandma’s name.

The imagery that came to mind was an overtly skinny, old Oaky who crocheted scratchy blankets and ate oatmeal.  Despite the fact that my Grandma Callie was a wonderful woman with a big heart for family, I could not name a baby after her.  I could not get past the visual and judged it more bad than good.  Thus I could not align granny with baby.

However, if we had named a daughter Callie, a personality would develop with her and my view of what “Callie” meant would be altered.  That’s a power we all hold.

Business application:  At the start up of this blog, I looked for a title that would describe what I intend to say, offer, or address.  After all, a blog is something one shares, as opposed to a journal that is meant to edify self.  So, this name I sought needed to already hold distinguishing characteristics that would resonate with me but also with you.

During that time of planning, I happened to be reading Deep Creek – Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston.  Early in the book, Houston writes regarding a time that a peer describes by saying, “Now you are untethered.  There is nothing holding you, anymore, to this earth.”

Untethered.  Sounds awesome!  I want to align with that!

The word untethered painted a picture for me of freedom and a release of all things encumbering, specifically to the things of the world.  A visual of the word untethered came to me in the form of a hot air balloon.  I’ve experienced a hot air balloon ride and certain things about it, like the quiet, the raised perspective, and simultaneous feelings of safety and impotence, made “Untethered” feel right for my blog title.  I talked about it in my very first post (linked here).

Spiritual application:  But you know what?  As I am daily intentional in my attempts at making life choices that are in unity with a God-based design rather than a man-made plan, I am learning that a single hot air balloon ride is not the same as riding everyday.  The ride I took was ideal.  Yet some rides don’t go as well.  Every day presents itself with a new set of challenges.  Winds blow and rains fall.  Cold weighs down.  Worn gear and empty tanks keep a balloon grounded.

Not only do outside issues keep challenging, but simultaneously I am getting to understand who God is.  On the fly.  As we go.

That feels like two moving parts.  Yet the disturbance in the second part is the change in my expectation.

To completely mix metaphors (a writing no-no), my “psychological condition” or thoughts of who God is are limited to my preconceived expectations.  Maybe I thought God was a Grandma Callie, a loving, yet crusty curmudgeon.  But within our growing relationship, He is showing me a God I did not yet know.  A baby Callie, tender, and full of sweet surprise yet loaded with responsibility and hard work!

Like I mentioned earlier, Baby Callie rolls out a personality not expected as we do life together,

God is revealing who He is by letting me experience new things with Him.

Choosing to identify as a christian or as God’s child means I become more like Him in “sameness of essential or generic character in different instances.”  (According to Webster definition 3 [a]).

Same in different.

How can I feel safe when circumstances are out of my control?  Know that somethings and Someone remain the same regardless of change.

How can I be safe when situations change?  Stay true to the characteristics consistent with my identity in Christ.  Become that Someone with somethings that remain constant.  Be responsible and don’t fear the work.

And above all…rely on and trust in the One who stays the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow!

So, I’m sticking to this Untethering quest!

To quote a song from my youth sung by Andy Williams…”Up, up and away!  In my beautiful…my beautiful balloon!”