The Secret to Seeking Self

Introspection--

Searching for meaning of life?

Searching for meaning of self?

During the late 1960's while attending college,
 I memorized a poem which influenced my thoughts in novel ways.

My parents built a house for me

To put my soul inside

It is floored with prejudice

And roofed with pride

And in the floorboards of that old house

The wood is rotting fast

The stagnant shell will soon collapse

And leave me free at last.

                        Annonymous

I didn't experience prejudice while growing up; we were not prideful people.
However, the sense that I was free at last affected me in a way
not typical of the hippie generation:

 I was responsible for me and who I became.

Forty some years later, at another stage of life, Marge Dohlman's poem stirred me.

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I've come to realize
The weaknesses of others
Do not have to be mine

I have the strength
To pull free
Of foggy fingers
Twisting my soul
Holding me captive
Forming my thoughts
Boxing me in
. . .

Again, I was responsible for me and who I became; finger-pointing not allowed. 

 What am I seeking?  

Who am I?  

What am I to do on Earth that will make a difference?

Dorcas, a treasured friend and fellow Alpha writer, shared Joyce Rupp's work.

Deep is calling into deep.  
Stop standing before the dark, empty cave. 
Take a step. Let go. Walk in.  
Just like the seed must fall into the dark, deep black soil, 
so must I enter into the darkness, go where there is mystery, 
where the questions float without answers . . .  
Deep within me a tiny voice whispers the truth:  I
If you want to grow, you must die to self.  
Here in the place of darkness you will learn what life is.  
You will find the energy that you've never dreamed possible.  
You will know a transformation that shall dazzle the eyes of your spirit.

As Dorcas wrote, 

"Each day the pruning continues . . .  

Each experience allows our hunting hearts to more freely enter the garden of life."

What is the secret in discovering ourselves?  

Colossians 1:27 tells us,

God's plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God.

Considering poetry, 

the book of Job in the Old Testament was cited 

"the greatest poem whether of ancient or modern literature" 

by Alfred Tennyson (1809-1902).  

Why do Godly people suffer is the theme of the book.   

We learn that Job never really saw himself until he saw God.

In His hand is the life of every creature 
and the breath of all mankind.  
      Job 12:10

Everything under heaven belongs to Me.   
   Job 41:11

My favorite devotional, "A Fresh Opportunity," opens with a verse from Romans 6:4.

Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life.

As we struggle to find ourselves, 

validate our worth,

 determine our journey path--

 we have a fresh opportunity to do so--each morning.

Kay Arthur in 365 Daily Devotions for Women wrote,

"If you are God's child, you are no longer bound to your past or to what you were.You are a brand new creature in Christ Jesus."

Give praise in the journey.

Expect blessings--each day.

Give praise always.