If going strictly by definition, I am not a TCK. Okay, okay, you might be thinking. So why are you writing to TCKs? Well, the answer is simple … and complicated. I’m what I call an MCK or Mixed Culture Kid.
You see, my father comes from one place and my mother from another. I grew up bilingually and am constantly surrounded by people from all over the world.
We all pick up cultural behaviours from the people around us. And since I am influenced by so many different cultures, I call myself an MCK.
In this article, I will be referring to us as MCKs. TCKs are part of that. Most people have an (or many!) identity crisis in life. MCKs struggle with this even more than others.
Who am I? is a question often asked.
The problem comes when we can’t associate ourselves with others. You’re not really like the people in the country you live in. You’re not really like the people of the country of your citizenship.
In the search for identity, it helps to find there are others like you. As much as it helps, however, with the help comes danger.
I am an MCK.
Suddenly, it becomes a label. I’m not Asian. I’m not American. I’m not European. I’m not [fill in the blank]. I am, as sometimes called, a global citizen. I’m an MCK.
Now you have a group of people you can associate yourself with. And that means that you can identify yourself with them. Slowly – it may creep up on you – it becomes your identity.
And that’s a problem …
As Christians, we know that everything earthly is temporary and will one day cease to exist. We live in a destroyed and destructive world that is slowly but surely decaying.
Therefore, nothing here on earth has value. No country will remain. And therefore, the concept of MCKs won’t either.
Why identify yourself with something that doesn’t last? It has no value.
What is Our Identity?
You’ve probably heard all these countless times before, but I’d like to say it again. MCK or no MCK, our identity as Christians is in one alone: Christ.
Sometimes, when I catch myself putting my identity in something other than Him (MCK, my age, my language, my writing, etc), I remind myself of who I am.
In Christ We are:
- loved (Rom. 8:38–39)
- chosen (John 15:16)
- forgiven and purified (1 John 1:9)
- set free (John 8:36)
- sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13)
- heirs (Rom. 8:17)
- complete (Col. 2:10)
- set apart (2 Tim. 2:21)
- protected (2 Thess. 3:3)
- equipped (Eph. 6:10–17)
This list is by no means exhaustive. It could go on and on. But to conclude, dear friend, there is no value in putting our identity in anything the world has to offer. It’s like a fake ID card in comparison to what God has to offer. Because your identity is not TCK, MCK, MK, ATCK, BK, CCK, etc.
Friend, stop using your fake ID. Use your real one:
In Christ.
TCKs for Christ: Writer & Email Manager
Sarah Susanna Rhomberg
is an MCK from Europe who is fluent in both English and German. She has cried many tears over the question of home, mother tongue, and identity, and wants to use these experiences to encourage others. Aside from writing, she loves reading, butterflies, and sunsets. Sarah wants to live her life for Christ and writes to glorify Him. You can connect with her at Truth & Hope.
