Who Are You? Really.

One of the most profound questions we will ever encounter in life appears, at its surface, quite simple.  Yet, if we aren’t careful, the answer will escape us.  Fleeting and without remorse, the answer to that unassuming question, “who are you,” boggles the mind.  Even more terrifying is the truth that the answer lays far beneath the nice, neat comfortable surface we’ve created for ourselves.  Shiny and polished, and unblemished, we’ve presented ourselves for the world to see, while the original texture is hidden underneath.  Now, don’t get me wrong!  There’s absolutely nothing wrong with smooth edges and a nice finish…but let’s remain mindful of the particular stain we acquire.  Is it watered down? Does it require several coats just to be ugly enough to place the would-be masterpiece in storage until we’re ready to tackle it again?  Maybe the stain goes on fine and dries a completely unexpected color…Ha!  Well, that’s no good, either!  So sorry.  Or…perhaps we’ve found that perfect stain that brings out the natural undertones and patterns of a unique cut of wood.  Now we’ve got something!  Suddenly, all the imperfections of that old hunk of wood have become the very things that make it so special.  Aah, perfect imperfections!  Make no mistake…it’s no simple task getting all that old varnish off to reveal a most natural beauty, only to start the entire process all over again.  No fun, right?  But how beautiful and rewarding it is to see the finished product!

So, by now I’m sure you’ve figured out a couple things.  One…where I’m going with all of this.  And, two…that I absolutely LOVE analogies!!  (Haha!)  But on a serious note, this is a question we all, at some point, should accept the challenge of answering.  Who am I?  Who are you?  Really.  I assume that if you’re here, you’re open to getting a little uncomfortable if need be.  So, I’m challenging you…let’s dig deep.  No judgment.  Just complete unapologetic realness. 

For some, the initial swing at the question may reveal basic demographics.  That, we are the least interested in right now.  But the “who are you” we’re looking for suggests a deeper acknowledgment of the true self.  The one whose soul is ignited by purpose and passion…the one who tingles and twinkles at the very essence of God.  It is true.  We are the sum total of our experiences.  Good and bad.  A lot and not.  But it is mindset that determines the reality we choose to create out of those circumstances we experience.  Sure…we can place blame on our pasts, refuse to forgive those who have wronged us, and never let go of regret, pain, fear and guilt.  And if we’re really bout it (yeah, I said bout it!), we can glamorize it all and justify our behaviors by giving “circumstances” credit for making us who we are.  In actuality, we will have simply denied our true selves and relinquished our inherent power.  Such displays of reckless commitment to the ego only corrupt the spirit and create elaborate odes to an undeserving present.  In doing so, we paralyze who we really are and immortalize the mask we are not.  You know the mask I’m talking about!  The one we often wear to work, church, school, and display on social media.  Yeah…that mask.  You see…it’s easy to embrace the feelings and emotions that only serve our egos and puff us up with pride.  But what about the dingy, rank feelings we’ve been avoiding because we simply don’t want to get dirty?  This is the side we have to become most comfortable with in order to heal and grow.  We never really seem to want to go there, though.  I get it!  It’s human nature to take the path of least resistance…but results are never made in the comfort zone.  I wonder…what would happen if we just go for it?  I mean, really peel back that rotten ego, take a deep inhale, and go to work!

I would argue that many of us almost always fail to take the time to do the hard work of dealing with ourselves, opting instead to excuse ourselves from the God-given responsibility of our own lives.  My late father (whom I will eventually muster the strength to blog about some time soon) used to always tell me, “You may not be responsible for being down, but you’re responsible for getting up.”  We are the children, the expressions, of the true and living God.  We are here for divine purpose.  So, choose your stain wisely, guard your heart, and push forward.  It is YOUR responsibility to step into your greatness!  Plant your feet and claim your inheritance!  No one else can do it for you, so don’t waste it.  So, for the record...Who am I?...Really.  Well, in short…I am creative and beautiful.  Always imperfect, but His strength is greatest in my weakness. I am a twinkle in God’s eye.  I am grateful for new mercies.  I see my flaws and shortcomings as opportunities for a closer relationship with the Most High.  I love God and prefer His hard truth over anyone’s easy lie.  So, I’ll ask again…Who are you?  Really.