A Kingdom Principle in a Childhood Fairytale

Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling, illustrates the meaning of an academic term called reflected appraisals.  This important term, used by social scientists in identity research, refers to the notion that our self-identity is in part, shaped and misshaped by the appraisal/opinion of those in our social network.   

As you may remember, the ugly duckling was actually a young swan who was hatched by ducks and raised as a duck.  Because his stepparents, stepsiblings, and the other animals in the barn assumed he was a duck, he too assumed himself to be a duck.  It wasn’t until he met an adult swan that he discovered his true identity, finally making sense of his past and setting the direction for his future.  

How about you?  Has your true identity been obscured by the reflected appraisals of those in your social circles?  It has for most of us.  

The extent of other people’s impact on our self-identity is influenced by many factors, not least of which is the appraiser’s perceived credibility and the appraisal’s consistency with our own beliefs about ourselves. In other words, many of us have been raised in a barn (metaphorically speaking), completely unaware of our God-given priestly identity. Just like the ugly duckling, our True identity has never been acknowledged, reinforced, or nurtured.  

No wonder it is hard to embrace a missional approach to life and work – we think we are ugly ducks!  But 1 Peter 2:9 corrects this thinking:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

So, for those of us struggling to fully embrace our God-given identity in Christ, I have two suggestions:  

1. Know that God has made you a priest.  For many of us, the idea that God has elevated us to such an important and honorable role is almost too much to take in.  We need to have our mind renewed (Romans 12:2) and that normally is a process that takes place over time as we learn and put into practice the teachings of Jesus. Fortunately, Jesus is eager and able to help us.  
2. Team up with others who want to live out their True identity. This is perhaps one of the most important single actions you can do while working on point number one. We need to find others who are like-minded and willing to encourage and equip us in Christlike attitudes and behaviors. When others see us as a priest, it helps us to see ourselves as priests. 

With our identity in Christ secure, we can confidently show up each day in our workplace knowing that whatever our role, our influence, or our industry – God has placed us in these jobs, organizations, and teams to fulfill our role as a priest. 

How are your words, attitudes, and good work reflecting God at your work? 

Have questions about what it looks like to fully participate in God's kingdom story in and through your everyday life and work? Check out our Scatter Foundations Video Series or signup for our Scatter Email.