Discovering Who I Am

We each have a desire, or need, for something greater than ourselves; some bigger purpose or meaning in life. The prevalent questions of our age are, “Who am I?” and, “Why am I here?” There must be some reality beyond the small world within which I live today. There has to be some greater destiny than this meager existence.

American sociologist and theologian, Peter Berger, speaks of “signals of transcendence” or clues or signs that lead us to consider the possibility that we are not accidents of chance. I would go a step further and suggest that these signals of transcendence are glimpses of the Kingdom of Heaven; fingerprints of the One who created the universe and Who designed each one of us for a specific purpose and role within that universe.

There are universals, or principles of reality, upon which existence itself is ordered and built. For example, what some might call “karma” is nothing more than the natural law of sowing and reaping. Everything we do and say (dare I suggest everything we even think) is a seed that is planted in the soil of our own hearts and the hearts of others. No seed is neutral. It is either good or it is bad. Every seed will bear fruit, either good, or bad. Another reality of the law of sowing and reaping is “multiplication”. If I plant one seed of wheat (or of anger, or lust, or of love, or service), I can expect a harvest that produces dozens, or hundreds of it’s own kind.

These signals of transcendence can be seen much like we see signs of invisible physical forces such as gravity. I may take it for granted when I see a rock rolling down a hill, or a leaf falling from a tree. I may even forget gravity exists as I go about my day-to-day life. However, my ignorance of gravity does not make it any less a reality when I stumble and fall. Likewise, the spiritual and relational laws of the universe effect us whether we acknowledge or understand them or not.

I suggest we look for these signs and clues, as we might see that leaf falling, and come to know the One who left them for us to find. To know Him is to come to understand His ways and to know His greater purpose and meaning for our lives.

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