The Race of (Self) Discovery

“Happy are those who find wisdom,

and those who get understanding...

Long life is in [Wisdom’s] right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.”

~Proverbs 3:13, 16 (NRSV).

There is a task for each of us in life—the task, should we choose to embrace it, for many truly do not.

It is to gradually and persistently solve the many and various mysteries that make up the ‘you’ and ‘me’ that pertains to this life.

This task is bayed in the words of proverbs above. It’s enshrined in understanding, to the lengths of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health—over the lifespan. It indwells itself in the mastery of joy both personally and interpersonally; a happiness that’s beyond simply being happy. It’s a happiness, come what may.

The race of discovery, then, is the very matter of unravelling the source of completion in all our endeavouring in life.

The Search – Long and Persistent

This race is a one that is based in the most fundamental of learning, application, trial, readjustment and, finally, acceptance. We never get fully all the way there; in that way it’s a peculiar race—but we do get to levels of self-satisfied fulfilment because we have come to know ourselves—the self that God put together.

Life is a mystery unless we tackle it. Some things will always remain a mystery and it is so important to differentiate between those that are designed to be unlocked and those that are designed to be left.

The race is ours and ours alone. No one travels the same path and has anywhere near the same mysteries. We’re all unique. This is part of the reason God is so great!

But one thing is for sure; we race to discover ourselves—the quicker we can, the less time we’ll waste living someone else’s life.

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.