Mistaken Identity

“…for all of you were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)

Sometimes it’s fun to be considered something or someone that you’re not. While serving as a driver for Senator McCain's motorcade last week, I was mistaken on several occassions for secret service. As stated in a previous post, it was humorous to be perceived other than I actually was. And, when your own son is gets your identity wrong...that's really funny. I'll explain.

Once the drivers' photo-op with Senator McCain was done, three of us immediately followed a staffer out of the venue. We had to hurry up and get back to our vans...and wait. (The rhythm of the day). As we exited the Forum, we emerged quickly from behind the hedges onto the lawn, seemingly popping up to the public out of nowhere.

We were walking like blazes to our vans. Janis Creason (who was key to me having this opportunity), her daughter, Sandy, and my son, Jordan had found our vans, hoping to see us in action. (Jordan was a "Student-for-McCain" volunteer inside the Forum). Later, Janis told me that while they were waiting beside our vans, Jordan suddenly commented, “Senator McCain must be on his way because here come four secret service agents.” Janis got all excited, looking for the camera she forgot. Then my son said, “Oh...no he isn’t. That’s just my dad.”

As fun as it was to assume the mistaken identity of a secret service agent, there is, however, only one identity for whom I want to and should be mistaken: Jesus!

When I was baptized, I donned the "clothes of Christ." I stripped off my vices (Galatians 5:19-21) and put on Jesus' virtues (Galatians 5:22-23). So, what does that mean to me? In simplest terms it means that when people see me, they should mistake me for Jesus. Such a mistaken identity is a good thing. I can't think of anything more disappointing than hearing, "O look! Here comes Jesus! Oh, wait. No. It's just Todd."

If you've been baptized as a Christ-follower, let me encourage you to putting on the "clothes of Christ."

(Click here to listen to the message I shared with the folks at Devonshire. I think you'll be encouraged...and challenged).