I woke up thinking of a statue in a village church in Hautvillers France. The image and the emotions it left with me are etched in my memories. While there is a colourful history around the village and the church, I do not recall the story behind the statue. I carry the awareness of how the stance, emblems held high, and look in the eyes created a story within me of his identity, purpose, and mission.
As today begins, I consider my identity and how I reveal it to others by my stance, what I hold high, and where I focus my attention.
I am more than my DNA. Yes, I owe a lot to my biological parents and all that they gave me. In saying this, I want to acknowledge the depth of their influence and impact on my life. There is much to celebrate. There is more to my story than the history of my parents. Echoing Paul, “It wasn’t Abraham’s sperm that gave identity here, but God’s promise. Remember how it was put: ‘Your family will be defined by Isaac’?” (Romans 9.7) I see myself defined by my heart’s values and priorities. In my quest to realise my aspirations, I tell the story of who I am, what I value, and how this plays out in life and my relationships with others.
What I embrace and hold high reveals more than I imagine. I think of a friend embracing the drunk who wandered into a pub-church. It that act of unconditional love, I understood and experienced Divinity’s embrace. In the dark night of my soul, I see the truth in the images and values embraced. In this dark revelation, I discover new opportunities to wrap my arms around the ideals representing my heart’s dreams for myself and others.
Eyes always tell you where someone is going. Anyone riding a motorcycle knows that the bike follows one’s eyes. It is also true in the day. My eyes tell me where my path is leading me. With the freedom I have, it is my choice.
