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Crisis de identidad...  Identity crisis...

3/17/2017

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Hace poco, visité a un viejo amigo: un libro titulado, “Testigo” por Whittaker Chambers, comprado y leído en 1980. Es historia reciente, introspectiva. Cuando estalló el famoso caso de Alger Hiss en 1948, Chambers era editor principal de la revista TIME. Había estado 10 años en el movimiento comunista clandestino. Desertó y posteriormente testificó en contra de Hiss. A HISS lo habían denunciado como espía soviético y condenado por perjurio en relación a ese cargo en 1950.

“Testigo” me conmovió. Expresó claramente cómo, en los años 60, habíamos abrazado una 'crisis de historia' marxista y su visión utópica. Mejor aun, el libro recontó el regreso del autor de debajo de su encanto.

El viaje a mí me había conducido a una crisis de identidad más amplia… me había preparado el camino para algo mejor. Para cuando me hablaron sobre mi necesidad de Cristo, dispuesto estaba para prestar atención. Un vacío cambiado en llenura, como un pródigo arrastrándose a casa y recibido por su padre con los brazos abiertos.

Suponía que una odisea de ese índole era normal… hasta necesaria. No que era necesario repetir toda la experiencia tal como a mi me había tocado. Pero sí, quiero decir, alguna variante de la misma experiencia que compartimos todos los creyentes: cuando nos damos cuenta de qué tan terriblemente perdidos estábamos sin Cristo y qué tan maravillosamente hallados hemos sido en Cristo.

¿Has sido “hallado”? Si no, date cuenta que comienza con la obra del Espíritu Santo. No se siente como tal al principio, pero es para tu bien. Él necesita mostrarte tu indignidad y tu culpa para que cuando escuches la invitación de Jesús -"arrepiéntete y cree el Evangelio"- tú, de buena gana, le respondas.

"Porque el Hijo del Hombre vino a buscar y a salvar lo que se había perdido."  Lucasl 19:10

​I revisited an old friend a while back: a book entitled, "Witness" by Whittaker Chambers, purchased and read in 1980. It is an introspective, recent history. When the famous Alger Hiss case broke in 1948, Chambers was editor-in-chief of TIME Magazine. He had been 10 years in the Communist underground. He defected from it and ultimately testified against Hiss. HISS was accused of being a Soviet spy and convicted of perjury in connection with this charge in 1950.

"Witness" moved me. It articulated how, in the 60's, we had embraced a Marxist crisis of history and its utopian vision. Even better, it recounted the author's return out from under its spell. 

For me, the journey had led to a broader crisis of identity. I realized later that all of this had laid the groundwork for something better. By the time I was approached with my need of Christ, I listened. Emptiness changed to fullness, like the prodigal crawling home and being received with open arms by the father.

I assumed that that sort of odyssey was normal... even necessary. No, not the need to replicate the whole experience just as it had been for me. I do mean, though, some variation on the theme that all believers share in common: the part about when we realize how terribly lost we were without Christ and how wonderfully found we have been in Christ.

Have you been found? If not, it starts with the work of the Holy Spirit. It doesn't feel like it at first, but He means well. He needs to show you your unworthiness and your guilt so that when you hear Jesus' invitation -"repent and believe the Gospel"- you will willingly respond to His call.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”"  Luke 19:10

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    Greg Smith

    Greg grew up in Menomonee Falls, WI. His ministry began in 1976: 5 years in Central America, 36 in Mexico. His passion is church planting and discipleship.
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    Greg enjoys being married to Carol Ahola-Smith. Both have been missionaries (Japan and Mexico); both watched their first spouses precede them in death.
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    Together, they have a heart for writing, mentoring and teaching.  They enjoy long walks and good coffee.

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