What Am I?

A Reflection on the Second Reading for April 25th, 2021:
Fourth Sunday of Easter

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1 John
3.1-2

Beloved: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

Last month, my kids learned to write “What am I” Haikus. From a triplet of clues and numbered syllables, the reader of the poem is invited to guess the identity of the described person or object. 

They shared creativity and humor in describing things in their field of perception — what they could see, taste, touch, smell, or hear. Other items came from a place of affection or cherished memories. Some of my favorite compositions included descriptions of a paperclip, Lego, and apple pie! Of course, revealing the identity of each item wasn’t difficult. When posed with the question, “What am I?”, the children would joyfully and confidently squeal out the answer.   
 
1 John brought me back to this exercise in traditional Japanese poetry, because it invites a similar query of identity. However, what we truly are, and are meant to be, is shrouded in mystery. The answer to this question is not easily answered as in children’s poetry:

What we know is this:
When He is revealed to us
We will be like Him.

What am I?

It is difficult to hazard a guess from such a description! And, in a post-religious world, this question is a loaded one. Humanity has a deep desire to know and understand what we are. 

True, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, this verse reassures us that we are beloved children of God. Yet at present, God has not entirely revealed Himself. Our fallen nature keeps us from complete intimacy, complete knowing of Him. While tangible, His entirety is concealed. He is within us, yet hidden. We believe, but cannot see in full — there are glimpses, but not the total picture.

Still, in poetic account, God has given us clues, inside us and around us. Despite our distance, God wants to reveal Himself to us. We will better understand what we are when we begin to wrestle with what He is. Doing so will help us embody what we truly are. Even better, we’ll be better prepared for that glorious moment when He chooses to wholly reveal Himself to us!

Lord, I want to see you. Reveal yourself in and around me, that I might better understand what I am. Like a child, I want to joyfully and confidently proclaim my identity in you. (Open The Eyes Of My Heart Cover by Jared Reynolds written by Michael W. Smith)




​Michelynne Gomez
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