The Real Me

I am Zachary Ryan Seven Sanchez, but that's just my name. At nineteen you wouldn't think my life could be all that complicated, but anyone who tries define themselves is suddenly faced with the daunting task of figuring out what it means to be you. Is it my experiences that make me? My roots? Something else?

Well let me say simply that I am a child of God, and that is the only definition that ever need be placed on me and my life. Though, I could also say I'm Scotch-Mexican American with British, Italian, Hispanic, and Jewish ancestry. I could say I'm a Christian, a Republican, a Moderate-Conservative, a College Student, and whatever other labels sociologists would place on me. I could tell you I'm a Poet, a Preacher, a Reader, a Writer, and a Blogger. I could tell you I've gone skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, backpacking, rock climbing, swimming, jet skiing, and running. I could tell you I've been engaged and broke up and that I never kissed anyone all through high school. I could tell you I have a best friend named Zeb, six brothers and sisters, and nine nephews and nieces. I could tell you I work at a Walmart at night and go to school at CNM during the day. I could tell you anything I'd like to about me and while it'd all be true it wouldn't get to the true me.

The only thing that truly holds meaning in this life is love. That's not a cliche, or a romantic notion; it's the gritty truth. Have you ever wondered what it is that sets people apart from the rest of the world? It's love: true love. Not the familial affection that your dog shows you when you walk in the door, or even the physical affection of someone taking your hand and pulling you close. It's not even the brotherly affection shown when your good friend helps you get back on your feet after a hard time, or when they hold you up through that hard time. True love knows no bounds and indeed lives beyond condition. God is love. This is a simple truth that we've been handed down for thousands of years, and yet we don't understand what this means for us. When God breathed his Spirit into us to bring us to life he gave human kind the one thing that makes us in His image: love. It is love that makes your soul feel full and the lack of love that makes your soul starve for life.

So that is who I am: one loved by God. And if there is anything else that anyone would use to define me, let them do so knowing that a meaningless definition holds no weight to that which holds all meaning. I am Zachary Ryan Seven Sanchez, but that's just my name. Who I am is in the fullness of Christ. This is my Reality.