Life’s Biggest Questions: Who Am I? What is the Meaning of Life?
One common question that is often asked by young people is “What is the meaning of life?” . Yet, behind that question lies a greater one: “Who am I?” . Before we can even find out what our lives are made for, it only makes sense to go back to our identity. After all, when we are able to name for ourselves our personality, our likes and dislikes, our strengths and weaknesses, and our dreams and desires, would we be able to live life fully with purpose. Thomas Merton, Roman Catholic monk, poet, and spiritual writer of the 20th century, explains that “at the center of our being is a point of nothingness which is untouched by sin and illusion – a point of pure truth, a point or spark which belongs entirely to God. This point is the pure glory of God in us. It is like a pure diamond and is in everybody.” [1] To break it down, Merton speaks about how there is a part within us that lies our true identity of how God sees us. It is not distorted by sin, by the brokenness of this world, nor the