Secrets of Identity is in the Exchange.
Have you ever heard of the expression, "What your searching for is in your own back yard?"
For the longest time, I was angered at this phrase. There was no gold to be seen or found in my backyard, but rather materials not worthy of mention.
Over the course of my life, as God's favorite daughter, and as an ethicist I can today this statement has become true.
What this expression means is look within yourself in finding all that you require to be happy,- after you figure it all out- how to get to the place of contentment?
Well for most of my life this statement was nothing but a lie. Looking inside was not a pretty but rather scary. Yet over the years of not giving up searching, for meaning and truth, I have found the secret and answers to this riddle.
"When you have nothing inside that's satisfies you, inquire about the Lord, the One who will fill you with Himself" It's called the great exchange.
The steps to making this statement true needs unpacking, work and plenty of curiosity. Nothing in life comes without work and effort and neither does seeking one's fulfillment & essence. Yet this quest should be each and every humans priority throughout their journey on earth. That is the pain of never changing, or the pain in changing.
Here are three points toward a clearer understanding of your identity.
1. Where you are is the right place to begin.
Begin this minute. You've looked everywhere else, tried a lot of things and are still coming up short. May I suggest that your doing things backwards like I was. Looking in the wrong places, doing the wrong things and believing wrong notions such as if you work at this job, your successful, if you drive this car, your A1, if your living in this neighborhood you made it. These ideas are false. All these notions without a proper ordering of one's essence and character does not fulfill us at all, void of self knowledge. Rather, to start where one is, is to go to the source of our lives and essence. We must return to the one who created us- God. these are not silly notions because we all from time to time talk to ourselves. We don't always have a good friend around or trust anyone for the time being. This is the short answer. In seeking God who made us and fashioned us in our mother's womb tells us that God is the fashioner of His creation and that means you and me.
Psalms 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Ask God questions about who you are and what your good at and what you were created for. Wait for an answer in time. Since God is Spirit as our souls are, meaning Spirit is mysterious and silent and anything we cannot pinpoint or describe fully. God is mysterious- but we know His Bible describes His character and voice. So its a good start. When we ask in silence that is to God who is everywhere but no where specifically. We need to listen attentively and feel an answer in our hearts. We distinctively know what we don't like and we know when something is wrong or bad for us. We try different things and change gradually. God 101 writes that God Himself is a person one talks to as a friend. Seek God first because today there is so much vying for your attention. In seeking yourself be very selective on what you choose to watch believe and hold on too.
2. Go to a pure source of Knowledge. A good price for a item, or looking for a good company to work for, what is written requires clarification and validation, meaning if you're deceptive, writing what appears forthright and honest using the right words BUT, have no intention of following through then one can spiral into false information and lies. More than ever is the warning Caveat Emptor, meaning buyer beware more relevant than today.
How can we know what is a best source of knowledge? Some questions we can ask ourselves can be, will this knowledge bring out the best for me. We don't have to reinvent the wheel, meaning we are not the first humans to seek understanding and self knowledge. There is a base, there is a handbook, there is a resource that changes our lives for best. This book is called the Bible. Now wait a minute. Millions of us can't be wrong. The most beautiful aspect of the Bible is that it was written by people just like me and you, inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and our advocate. I especially enjoy the books on wisdom where I learn so much about human nature. Learning about my human nature and the nature of others and learning what is the best way to act, and applying these truths keep me out of trouble. Keeping out of trouble is a start of a good life in general. When we experience so much trouble we get discouraged and unhappy. When we are happy and thriving we build on our repertoire of self knowledge and growth, like building blocks of character and personality. Acting and behaving right requires a knowledge base found in the books of the Bible that change our lives to better. I am making the claim today that the Bible is the only book on the planet that hosts change. No other book can make this claim. the millions of volumes never change this world for the better. When i say the world I mean me and you. But the Bible, Jesus Christ changes people.
"One secret to living a happy life is to stop missing the mark continually."
And to start making the bull's eye of healthy thriving. A lot might have to be unpeeled. Like a onion layer by layer removing all the things that no longer service you. There is a secret to reading the Bible that has been mystified for thousands of year and given a "religious connation" but the secret is that it's pages are filled with an imaginary teacher called the Holy Sprit who shows and presents itself to illuminate your mind to understand its truths as you read its pages. Ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit when you read the book and ask that you understand what your reading as well.
3. Finding oneself is the greatest treasures in life. Getting closer to oneself is a comfort and a most genuine experience life has to offer. Philosophers of old, often spoke of this reality, stating that to know oneself is a life well lived.
Knowing oneself to the point where your productive and successful is exhilarating. Getting to know oneself with Jesus Christ our Friend is the greatest experience of life. But i certainly have to say that i did not know myself. Making so many mistakes and living a life of mistakes and blunders fogged me into a being of debauchery. I lost myself in my life of doing things wrong. I know God looked at my life and said, "Santina needs help-let me give her my hand." And God did and does and will always give me His hand. But this took years of me to understand this. In faith and in perseverance did I come to this understanding. Getting there is not easy, there are struggles, twists and turns of life. But Jesus promise to us, is that He will never leave us or forsake us. There is a direct path to knowing oneself that will bring results like nothing else. This way and path is our Lord Jesus Christ. The time has come to say that there is not much time left. The world is getting tired and in birth bangs of decay and our answer is Jesus Christ and always has been. Humans do as they please and this is a fact but the fact remains as well, that we can do things in a way that promotes our own human flourishing and happiness. It's in the time spent, and in faith that one perceives that they are gaining insight and truths that are so exciting.
Prayer: Lord God thank you for your love and faithfulness. Open my eyes to notice your voice and direction for my life. Teach me to walk with you each second of the day and to be filled with your presence and hope. In Jesus name I ask and pray Amen.
Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Santa Santina Gatta, M.A Public Ethics, B.A (Hons) Ethics.