There are many voices around us that tell us who we are, but why not go straight to the Source, the One who made us and holds us in His heart, and let Him tell us who we are? We look at Him and find ourselves reflected there. How can that be? We are in His image, we are His reflection. We see Him and see ourselves there in Him, lovely and beloved. And where do we see Him? Right here inside of us is where we find Him waiting, waiting to be discovered. All the love in the universe is right here inside us, loving us always. We are ever entwined with the beautiful Christ, for we are in His heart and He is in ours.
Teresa of Avila wrote a poem in the 1500’s called “Soul, Seek Yourself in Me,” and it brings out in a beautiful way these themes of us in Christ and Christ in us. Below is my adaptation the English translation of this beautiful love poem from His heart to ours:
“It was tender love, dear soul,
That drew you on My heart.
No other artist could
With any skill
Make such a work of art!
My love itself brought you to life
And fairest one, so near divine,
If you ever wonder
Who you are
Just see yourself in Me, so fine.
For when you see your image there
Reflecting Me in beauty rare
You will find joy
You will find life
To know yourself so blessed and fair.
Now if you do not know
Just how to find Me, soul so true,
Do not look far
Or wander long
Just find Me here inside of you!
You see I have my home in you
My favorite place I love the best,
And when your thoughts
Roam far away
I woo them back to Me to rest.
There is no need to look for Me
Outside of your own heart
Speak my name,
For I am here,
Beloved, we will never part.”
Teresa of Avila (adapted)
“You are privileged to be in union with Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:23 (MSG)
(My adaptation of “Soul, Thou Must Seek Thyself in Me” by Teresa of Avila, based on the English version of the poem in Minor Works of St. Teresa, translated from the Spanish by the Benedictines of Stanbrook, revised by Benedict Zimmerman. Published by Thomas Baker, London, in 1913. This work is in the public domain.)