Awwk-worrr-duh. I just hugged the wrong person!

Sometimes I can be a pretty outgoing person. And sometimes, that’s left me feeling a bit awkward. It’s happened twice in the last couple of months, and I’ll blame it on the masks we wear because of the pandemic.

Both times it happened at the start of our church services. Overzealous to greet people I hadn’t seen in a while, I was sure I was greeting someone I recognized. But both times, it was mistaken identity. Outside I acted like I meant to greet them all along, but on the inside, I had a moment of utter awkwardness. There’s just nothing quite like coming up behind a lady you don’t know, putting your arm around here as you step beside her, beaming, “It’s so good to see you!” only to realize it’s not who you thought it was. I think it was the look of confusion I immediately saw in her eyes. She was polite, but I could tell she was thinking, “who the heck are you, and why are you hugging me, you creep!”

Then there was the guy I thought was someone else. “Hey, buddy, high five!” I said as I put my hand in the air. He started to raise his hand and then had this look of sadness. He said, “you thought I was someone else, didn’t you?” “Um… yep,” I stammered as I tried to act nonchalant. “But I’m glad YOU are here!” I said. I don’t think he bought it. Come to think of it; I don’t know if he ever came back.

Mistaking one person for another usually ends up being awkward for both parties. But there’s something far worse. It’s when you mistake yourself for someone else. Unfortunately, most of us don’t even know when it happens. I mean, how awkward is that?!

The problem is, we live in a world where it’s easier than ever to be someone else. A perfectly poised selfie here. A video clip we’ve practiced and recorded multiple times until it feels unrehearsed and spontaneous. Who hasn’t fretted over the placement of your dessert plate or the exact look of your hair, so it looks like it’s perfectly imperfect?

So, here’s a question – WHO do you think you are? It’s a simple question, really but oh so hard for us to answer. But it’s a critical question. You see, who you THINK you ARE often determines what you DO. And when we get this wrong, it has some reasonably dire complications. When you think you are something that you’re not, it’s easy to end up doing something you shouldn’t. The reverse is also true. When you DON’T think you are something that you actually are, you’ll can end up NOT doing something that you should!

I know… it’s a little confusing. But don’t let that keep you from joining us this Sunday at Journey’s Crossing – this is so important we will break this idea down over four weeks together. I hope you want to learn more because it is that important. This week we start a new series about our true identity in Christ, called “Who Do You Think You Are?” and everyone who follows Jesus needs to know how to get this right. Because who you think you are really does determine what you do.

And not just for you – it’s vital for your friends, family, and co-workers too. So bring them along or send them the link and join us in-person or online this Sunday. It is THAT important! You don’t want to spend your life doing the wrong things or not doing what you were made to do simply because you have a case of mistaken identity of yourself. As awkward as hugging or high five-ing some stranger might feel, no one wants to have spent their whole life pretending to be someone they’re not.