I am a chameleon.
Not that I am a scaly, slithery lizard with a long tongue. But rather, I adapt. I change colour with my surroundings. More specifically, I adopt the “colours” of people.

Those who know me well will testify to this change.

When in the company of my very flamboyant, eccentric friends, I tend to adopt their enthusiasm and dramatic tendencies. I indulge in the opportunity to be loud, silly, care-free and expressive. Sometimes to the head-shaking embarrassment of my friends or family.

When I spend time with dry-humoured, sarcastic people, that sardonic edge laces my comments and expressions. At times, this snappy shift in how I communicate with people, though often humorous, is regretful.

When I surround myself with people of a gentle, sincere nature, I tend to adopt their gentleness, to be more watchful of my words and expressions, and to be more sensitive to the emotions and reactions of people around me.

Now, this chameleon-ness presents for me a complex.

Who am I really?

I would venture a guess that I am a combination of the above, and other unmentioned, personalities and characteristics.
However diverse and amusing such a seemingly contradictory concoction may be, I don’t know that I like it too much. It speaks to me of insecurity, conformity, fear, and even hypocrisy.

It also brings to mind this idea: how much have I “chameleonized” to the character and personality of Jesus Christ?
I wonder if it is evident to other people that I have spent time in His presence.

And even more….how much time am I really spending there?

If time spent with friends is so evident in my behaviour, do others — even those friends with whom I apparently spend so much time — see Christ in me?

If I am not adapting, or rather, being transformed by the presence of Jesus, maybe I need to rethink where I am spending my time.

I don’t just want to be an ever-changing chameleon. I want to be a caterpillar transformed into a butterfly.
I want to be “a new creation” by the redemptive power of Jesus.

May my life be evidence that I have been with Him.

A cup brimful of sweetness cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, no matter how suddenly jarred.

~ Amy Carmichael ~