The Identity Issue: Driver vs Siri

I’ve discovered that the journey of identity discovery is one of the most worthwhile ventures we can partake in.  It does, however, come at a high price.  The journey of worth is one that requires loneliness and a confrontation of self.  No one but you and the Lord can do it.  It requires you to come face-to-face with your own limitations, acknowledge them, and then breathe a sigh of relief that you are free.  Free to not be everything.  You are finite and that is glorious for it allows you to have a unique set of strengths that make sense and apply to you, rather than dealing with all of these contradictions. 

The Adventures in Missions community values self-awareness.  As a result, personality tests are abundant.  One of the tests focuses on four different quadrants and is a spin-off from the DiSC test.  A person can be control (top left), fun (top right), accuracy (bottom left), or harmony (bottom right).  The top half of the square are fast-paced individuals, and the bottom half are contemplative.  Oftentimes, a person has a primary and secondary function.  For example, I am an Accuracy/Harmony person.  I fought this for a while but it is SO accurate…#cleverwordplay.  

In learning the differences between fast-paced and contemplative types, I had an epiphany today.  Control/Fun people are the ones driving the vehicle while Accuracy/Harmony people are the GPS…the Siri’s if you will.  You know that sometimes encouraging and sometimes infuriating phrase that Siri will use when you miss a turn? “Recalculating.”  I feel like that can describe a lot of conversations that happen when differing personalities are required to work together.  Not surprisingly, this happens frequently.  

For you drivers out there, be free to take us places, be free to miss turns, but just remember to listen when the recalculating statement is uttered.  For the Siri’s, remember that you would not be able to go anywhere without the driver, missed turns can lead to awesome adventures, and your skills are valuable and necessary.

Ah, the identity issue comes up again.  Are you a Driver or a Siri?

In other news, I am switching back to my World Race blog because I will be squad leading in October.  If you are subscribed to this one, you should also receive an update from the World Race blog as well.  I will be posting in both so if you do not receive two updates via email, please let me know and I’ll make sure you’re still added.  Thanks for your continued support of my journey.  More to come as I head to Swaziland for the month of July!