Knowing Who We Are

      Many people spend much time, effort, and even money trying to “find themselves” and discover who they really are. This search for identity crosses most age groups and may involve young adults as well as middle age people who seem to be trying to find answers to life. Who am I? Where have I been? Where am I going? And what does all this mean? Some get interested in genealogy and begin to dig into the past in order to find their roots.

      I recall an article in the Asheville Citizen-Times by Associated Press reporter Marta Falconi who writes that anthropologists have spent three years reconstructing the left index fingerprint of Leonardo da Vinci. Apparently, da Vinci painted with his fingers and also ate while painting, leaving fingerprints in his painting and on his manuscripts. Scientists tell us that they can now determine different foods that da Vinci liked to eat, and may even be able to tell the ethnic origin of this famous person. The distinctive features of fingerprints may tell whether a person originates from an Arabic, European, or African ethic background. It seems that da Vinci’s mother may have been a slave from Tuscany, according to the experts who examined this composite fingerprint from Leonardo’s papers and paintings.

      It is interesting to know from where we came, our country of origin, and the names of our ancestors. But I think it is much more important and comforting to know that there is someone who already knows everything there is to know about each of us. God knows us better than we know ourselves.

      We must remember that God in his Triune power created each of us in his own image-the image of love. Therefore, since God created us, he knows our thoughts, our plans, the workings of our bodies, and our needs and wants. Paul writes that even when we are at loss for words to express our prayers, the Holy Spirit takes our thoughts and prays for us. There is nothing that can be hidden from the all-knowing eyes of our heavenly Father.

      In Psalm 127:2 we learn that God takes care of us in every detail, even giving us sleep. How wonderful is God’s gift of sleep! In another reference we find that God keeps track of our tossing and turning while we sleep.

      God knows how many hairs we have on our head. Now this information may seem trivial, yet it points to the intense involvement God has in our lives.

      Even while we were in our mother’s womb, the hand of God was evident as we were “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Jeremiah 1:5 tells us that even before we were formed or conceived, God knew us.

      God doesn’t need a research team to study a composite of our fingerprint to know all about us. He created us, loves us, wants us to obey and serve him. God also cares for us in a detailed way. This is what makes him, our God.

      So, while our genealogy is important and interesting, we should find great comfort in trusting in our God who knows all about us. Let’s trust and obey him!

Rev Tim McConnell, Long’s Chapel, August 12, 2012