As I walked through the Fossil Dunes located off an unnamed road in the Abu Dhabi sands, I realised I was looking into a sandy mirror which had hardened over time, reflecting the events and memories of times otherwise long forgotten.
This mirror was different than the one I find myself in front of every morning. In the relentless wind which pushing and reshaping the dunes even as I paused for a short time, the etched fossil mirror formed whispered questions which I received with an eerily need to examine before I continued. Who am I? What is my mission? What story in this mission is being revealed in the mirror at this moment in time?
As I examined the question, struggling to answer this in a way that made any sense to myself, much less someone listening in on my thoughts, I found myself reflecting on how other writers have introduced themselves. Sometimes writers avoid a direct answer, letting their characters reveal hints and insights to what lies within. At the other end of the spectrum is Paul. In one introduction he answers the three questions with two lines; “I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God’s words and acts. I write this letter to all the Christians in Rome, God’s friends.” (Romans 1.1)
Using Paul’s outline, my answers to the fossil mirror’s question is the following.
My name is not particularly important. It could be any name, including the one you go by. I am a thankful child of God, gifted with unconditional love who believes life centre revolves around relationships and community. I am on a mission of compassionate and engaged living. As a lifelong apprentice, as I learn through relationships and experiences, part of my expression of thankfulness is to leave a record in the hope it will help others discover the way Life is uniquely guiding and instructing them.
As our group reformed, I found myself wondering what others had experienced. As I listened, Hope stood tall, and Possibilities were introduced.
