A Case of Mistaken Identity

story by: lisa petrarca

Coach Anthony showed up at the local recreation basketball courts, looking to recruit a few kids to play on his high school, PC Hoops team. He had an abundance of fast, skill position boys, but absolutely no height...which is a must in basketball.

Scanning the courts, he spotted a skinny boy, towering over the other kids, watching them shoot around. He quickly made a bee-line towards the boy, shouting as he approached, "Hey, how tall are you?"

"6'7," he replied.

"Perfect! Do you want to play for my basketball team?"

"Oh, I can't," he quickly answered. "I play baseball."

Really? I could've sworn you were a basketball player with that height," Anthony said in obvious disappointment.

"No, I can't because of baseball, sorry," he shrugged, as he walked away.

One of the boys on the team ran up and said, 'Don't you know who that is coach?"

"No...but he sure looked like a basketball player and I was hoping, our new center," he replied.

"Well he's one of the top baseball players in the Nation! He's probably going to the pro's straight out of high school," he smugly responded.

Anthony had mistaken this star baseball player for a basketball player. His appearance portrayed something he wasn't. An obvious case of mistaken identity. Which brings me to an important question, "Do you give the appearance of something you're not? Do you try to fit in with the crowd, saying and doing things that you're later ashamed of? Or do you strive each day to live a life, showing the love of Christ that is in you?"

We all fall short, and can give others an unclear view of who we truly are inside, often causing "a case of mistaken identity." But God knows you. He knows your heart. You need to seek Him, so your heart and mind can be transformed into who you are in Christ. Moving into all He's called you to be. Daily prayer and scripture study allows the transformation to take place...one day at a time, through a personal relationship with Him. YOUR IDENTITY IS NEVER MISTAKEN WITH GOD. He sees through the hurt, pain and facade. Grow closer and stronger in Him so you can show others who you are in and through Christ, who gives you strength and renews you daily!

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit..."
1 Peter 3:13-18