Who Are You and Why Are You Here?

    There is an old story about Akiva, the rabbi, who lived just outside the 2nd-century city of Capernaum. Akiva had been to the village to gather some supplies and was walking back to his cabin. Deep in thought, when he came to a fork in the road, he went to the right rather than taking the path that would lead him home. Suddenly a voice came through the darkness, “Who are you and why are you here?” Rousing his senses the rabbi realized he was in unfamiliar territory. Straining to see through the darkness he recognized the Roman fortress—the military barracks—and slowly realized the questions were coming from the sentry on duty, “Who are you and why are you here?”
    Being a rabbi and a scholar he answered the question with a question. “Young man, how much do they pay you to stand guard and ask those questions of those who approach?” Rather than being defensive, the guard could see he was dealing with a man of the cloth—not an intruder. He answered, “4 drachmas a week ($100).” The rabbi replied immediately, “I’ll double your pay if you come with me, stand at the door of my cabin and ask me those same two questions each morning as I leave for the day.”

After two days of intense training in worldview analysis, the AXIS closed with this challenge to HCA students in grades 9-12.  The AXIS group, by "encouraging underage thinking" wants to move students from "Apathy to Action."   This anecdote effectively summarized the thrust of this week:  "Who are you" (i.e. What is your worldview) and "Why are you here? (What difference does it make?)

We all would benefit from beginning every day with those two questions; the answer we give to those questions makes all the difference.  Jesus gave us a response to this question in Matthew 5 - "Let your light so shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

As yourself each morning as you prepare for your day - Who are you?  Why are you here?