The question
"Who Are You?" is a very big question that says a lot about an
individual. There are two ways this question can be answered; first is the true
assessment of oneself (internal reflections), while the other is the perception
of oneself based on what an individual has been conditioned to believe (external
reflections). The two are different. One is an infinite consciousness, capable
of being and creating whatever it chooses, the other is an illusion, imprisoned
by its own perceived and programmed limitations.
You are a creation of God and you reflect the
Divine qualities of creativity, wisdom and love. When you lose sight of
yourself, you lose your way.
When you
look at/in the mirror what do you see? Do you see the real you or what you have
been conditioned to believe is you? I am not talking about the glass mirror
that you look in every morning to stand and evaluate what you see, whether good
or bad but I am talking about the “mirror of your soul”. I want to
share some facts about this mirror of the soul:
1. This
mirror shows the reflection of yourself when you feel no one is looking….your
true essence. This mirror’s reflection never hides and lies but it is your true
self. Many at times we are so fearful to glimpse into this mirror, as we are
not sure of what to expect or get. (If it will be good or not).
2. This
mirror is within you and not outside of you.
3. It is
unique to you, it cannot be bought nor borrowed. You can only use this mirror
when you are true to yourself and blinded to the external force (thoughts/
influence/ opinions/ expectations/ standards) of others.
4. When you
have realized who you are, be mindful not to judge or condemn yourself with
someone else’s yardsticks.
5. You
should acknowledge the uniqueness you possess and embrace all aspects of
yourself that is revealed.
6.When you
have embraced the good, bad and ugly then forgive yourself. Until then you
cannot achieve a true transformation. Other than that, it is going to be
self-pity, emotional wreck that is not going to benefit you in anyway.
7. It is
best defined by the word of God. The beauty of who we are is best described by
who we see ourselves to be in light of God's words. James 1:23-25 says "If someone listens
to God's word but doesn't do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his
face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what
he looks like. However, the person who continues to study God's perfect
teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be
blessed.
Life is a
journey that cannot be predicted and how we go through it and come out of it
reflects who we truly are in the end. What we will experience we might not be
able to predict. No one plans to experience anything bad or tough, but they
happen. When they happen, we can lose track of who we used to see ourselves to
be. It is only by the virtue of who our inner reflections have been built upon
that we can still stand strong, positive and strengthened. The greatest way to see yourself as who you
ought to be and how you should be when situations arise is through the eyes of
GOD and what His words say about you. Build yourself up through GOD, that is
the only lasting way to build your confidence and to know who you truly are.
Shalom!
Credits: Maria Odusanwo & Bola Garuba
