Who Are You?

My favorite sci-fi series of all time is Babylon 5. Aliens galore, telepaths, techno-mages, true love, lots of action, space battles, you name it. And lots of fodder for metaphysical rumination.

There is a race called the Vorlon. An ancient, secretive race. They had an ambassador on the Space Station Babylon 5 named Kosh. In the second season, he meets the new captain, Captain Sheridan. The Ambassador looks at Captain Sheridan and asks, “Who are you?”

Captain Sheridan spent the rest of his life answering that question. I think the lesson is, we all spend our lives answering that question. Or we should. I sometimes wonder if people have the wherewithal to even consider the question.

I know some will respond to the question by saying, “I am a <insert occupation>.” But can we really be what we do? Isn’t there more to us? What about those who work in careers that don’t define them? I’m an insurance adjuster, but that’s not who I am.

Others might reply, “I am <insert accomplishment>.” But if we are the accomplishment, do we stop being something if we stop achieving? I was the Indiana Assistant Principal of the Year in 2011, but that’s not who I am.

Sheridan learned that the answer to the question is found in serving something bigger than yourself. Serving yourself is like eating empty calories. It makes your stomach full, but your body is not well served. A person can get trapped into looking for the next job, or the next accomplishment.

In the US Army Reserves, I served my country. As a teacher, I served my students. As a school administrator I served the students, staff and the community. As an insurance adjuster, I serve veterans and their families. As a husband, I serve my wife, and as a father and grandfather I serve my family.

Taking that to the next level, I serve God. In his service, I serve others. In this service, I find fulfillment. No matter what I do, if I serve others I fulfill God’s plan for me. Take that, Ambassador Kosh!

That begs the question, “Who are you?”