Believer, or Christian?

If someone were to ask me to describe myself (and people often do), some of the words I use would be humorous, compassionate if not kind (I do not believe them synonomous), intelligent, and hard working (ok, the last one is two words, so perhaps diligent or industrious would be better).  It just occurred to me, though, that Christian is not a word that usually comes out, let alone first.  So, how would Jesus feel about that?
Truthfully, I will never know in my lifetime, unless Jesus returns while I still draw a breath.  What happens if I do describe myself first as Christian?  Is that truly putting Jesus first, or is it me trying get His attention for it?
When I was a catechumen, Father Igor, who Chrismated me, once gave a sermon about something similar (or at least mentioned it in one of his sermons).  He said he didn't like saying he was "Christian"; he preferred to say he was a believer in Jesus Christ and His teachings.  What struck me as odd was that I said the exact same thing for years, though perhaps for more earthly reasons.  I felt it played into identity politics that would not allow for my political thoughts to be taken seriously.  However, as I sat in church that day and listened to Father Igor's sermon, I realized something that I would never have thought.
I realized that before we can call ourselves Christan, we have to believe in Jesus.  I realized that before we can believe in Jesus, we have learn about His teachings and the Gospel.  I realized that before the Gospel can be learned, we must learn our own hearts, as was spoken to me years before by a different Orthodox priest after I went to my first liturgy.  And I further realized the most amazing thing to me; until I know my own heart, there is no way Jesus can change what is in it for me, for even though Jesus works miracles, you need to believe in them for them to happen.
I have removed myself from the inaneness of politics now.  I used to love debating them, but Jesus (thank you, by the way) changed that in me.  Yes, I still read up on current events, and hold my own views, but I don't enjoy the debating and knowledge of them any longer.  I still vote, but that is as far as any political involvement will ever go with me from now on.
I am much more content now with reading my prayer books, the Gospels and the Psalms, the history of the church, the biographies of the saints, and letting them change me more than politics ever could.  I'll never know if I am a Christian, because I am not trying to find that out any longer.   I am content to be merely a believer.  As we fast approach this Nativity season, the season that gives us a reason to believe, I find it more important than ever to remember what Father Igor said in his sermon that day, and I find the contentedness it brings strengthens me.
I pray, and ask you to pray for me also, that my belief can grow so I can become a better person, whether anyone on this Earth calls me a Christian or not.  I promise to do the same for all of you who read this, though it will help me to let me know who you are.  Actually, I'll pray for you anyhow, for Jesus already knows who you are.
God Bless..