Define or Describe? What Does My Status Say About Me?

One of my least favorite things to do is to fill in the bio section of an online profile. There’s so much pressure on so few words to describe my status, my personhood, my identity. Instagram, for example, only allows you 150 characters for this task.

When writing a bio, my thought-process goes something like this, “Ok, start with ‘mom’. No. ‘Mom of two littles.’ Good. Next let’s put ‘wife.’ Oh, should that go before mom? Probably. Oh, I’m a Christian! How about… ‘beloved’? Writing ‘Christian’ would be cheesy, right? ‘Beloved wife and mom.’ Oh no, now this looks like a tombstone. Why is this so hard?! Ack! That’s it. I’m just using emojis.”

And so, my Instagram bio is three heart emojis.

Can those 150 characters meaningfully describe me anyway?

Let’s find out.

I have powered through the agony of writing a 150-character bio:

Stay at home mom of two littles. Wife of nearly 9 years. Christian global worker living in Japan. Formerly depressed, now free. Born in Oklahoma, USA.

(Yes, it’s exactly 150 characters.)

What can you learn about me from these few words?

What can I learn about you from your few words?

An accurate description

There is no list of words, regardless of accuracy, that can completely define and convey a person’s being. As global workers, we know that one’s experience under the title expat varies greatly from every other person’s experience as an expat. The statuses single and married may be mutually exclusive but surely the single woman and the married woman share much in common. We do not taste the sweetness of a cookie by reading the ingredients and we cannot know the depth of a person by reading their bio.

Our statuses are always changing. In the last ten years I’ve gone from single to married to trying to conceive to grieving to new mom to global worker. These words correctly describe the facts of the day but they simply cannot tell the whole story.

And what about the areas I don’t want to tell you about? That I’m angry and selfish? Or that I’ve been hurt and caused pain? Surely this list, albeit truthful, is terribly incomplete as well?

An insightful description

However, even in 150 characters you gain so much. You now know, from the two lines above, my personal history, family situation, and priorities. You have some context now for why I tend to use the Japanese phrase “sou ne” instead of just saying “yeah” when I’m agreeing with you.

I took a risk to share something vulnerable, too. Depressed. And, oh, do I thank God often that I get to use the adjective formerly with that word. These two words, formerly depressed, ring out the reality of pain and the hope of joy that we’re told comes with the morning. With these two little words, connections can be forged and life-changing conversations can begin.

But even with all the insight that can come from these words, there is still a problem. While these words may be descriptive, not one of them is definitive.

I am a mom, a wife, and a global worker, yes. But I am even more of something else.

A definitive status

There are a slew of statuses that shatter the restraints of 150 characters. These words are perfectly accurate, never changing, and absolutely true. They lay common ground between us and offer space for our hearts to breathe again.

These words define the very being of our souls, proclaim our purpose, and ignite hope where apathy so longs to dwell.

Best of all, we don’t need to earn the right to bear them. They are already true of all who love Christ. We have been given them by the One who created everything and holds all things together. Below I’ve listed just a few of the banners that wave over our precious heads, whether we believe them or not:

Chosen. (1 Pet 2:9)

Called out of darkness. (1 Pet 2:9)

Holy and blameless. (Eph 5:22-33)

Radiant. (Eph 5:22-33)

Daughter of the King of Kings. (1 Jn 3:1)

What’ll it be then? What status will you claim as you battle for the beauty and glory of God’s kingdom today? What if I believed I’m just as much a radiant daughter of the King of Kings as I am a mom of two littles? I do think I’d be washing my dishes with a little more joy, that’s for sure. Sisters, let’s allow the words in that 150 character bio to do their job: describe facts about us. But let’s be quite sure to let the King of all kings define us.

What about you? Do one of the biblical identities listed above stand out to you? Is there another place in scripture that brings your heart rest and your spirit comfort? Let us know in the comments below!