URC Daily Devotion Monday 8th September 2025

Notes from Small Islands 7: Identity

Galatians 3: 27 – 29

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Reflection

When we moved to Orkney we were struck by the strong sense of Orcadian identity revealed more in language than politics; it’s common to say “I’m going to Scotland next week” which always makes me wonder if Orkney has declared independence.  Folk might also say they are travelling “south” meaning Thurso, Aberdeen, Glasgow, or London – it’s all “south”!  

There is much pride in being Orcadian with a shared sense of achievement when things go well.  There is, however, also a sense of annoyance if things aren’t good; a business only keeps going if its reputation is superb. A hotel here which is thought to fleece visitors is detested and can’t keep local workers.  Such crime as we have is reported thoroughly and troubles us.  This local identity, however, doesn’t conflict with others – whether that’s a Scottish, or other national, identity or one of the many identities that our contemporary society celebrates; instead it complements them. Orcadians are, for example,  very well connected with folk all over the world and take a keen interest in national and international events; one can be insular without being isolationist. 

In the earliest Church master and slave worshipped together.  Women were leaders in the Church whilst being restricted in society.  Jew and Gentile had to navigate a new way of being together.  Men, at the top of the ancient social order, had to learn how to respond to those of lower classes having authority over, and teaching, them.  Some of the earliest bishops were slaves.  Paul reminded those early Christians, and reminds us, that our identity in Christ supersedes, without voiding, all our other identities. 

In an age where those who live on these isles, which the cartographers call British,  we have many perspectives, politics, and persuasions that compete.  Our primary identity, however, is of being in Christ; an identity which completes all the others.

Prayer
 
O God,
we know you in so many ways,
through brother Wind’s whispers,
sister Rain’s coolness,
brother Sun’s warmth,
and sister Moon’s light,
but, most completely,
through Your own revelation in Jesus,
Your Word made flesh.
In Christ all our identities find completion,
all our hungers are fed,
and all our yearnings stilled.
Amen.