In my last blog I talked about those deep human questions that sooner or later clamor for an answer from everyone – Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? How do I get there? Eventually I would like to explore all of these questions with you.
Let’s start with “Who am I?” It’s really a question of identity or self-worth. So many people try to answer it by linking their identity and value to their physical prowess, or to their status in the workplace, or their popularity. Some identify and value themselves by the amount of their paycheck or the level of their education. Look where that leaves most of us – pretty much at the bottom of the rung. And even if we give ourselves a nine or a ten on the above scale, how long do you think you will keep your place before another bumps you down a few rungs?
The Catholic Church proclaims the good news that our identity – our worth – comes from who we are and not what we do or have. We find in the book of Genesis the short but essential answer to our identity question, “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27). St. Paul assures us that we are all God’s children (Rm 8: 14-17). Yes, God loves each of us in a way far beyond our wildest imagination. One author described it as God being insanely in love with us – literally crazy about us.
Check out the following Scripture passages that are just a few examples in the Bible of God’s utter and undeniable love for us: John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; Hosea 11:8-11; Isaiah 49: 14-16.
Yes God created you and loves you. And it is in this that you have your identity and worth. It is in this that you have your purpose your destiny. It is in this that you have God’s invitation to fullness, and it is in this, that God awaits your response.
In my next blog we will explore the question of personal purpose and what does it really mean to be created in God’s image and likeness.