Becoming Who We Are
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” — Ephesians 2:10 (NRSV)
There’s a story told in the Hasidic tradition about the beloved Rabbi Zusya. As he lay on his deathbed, his students gathered around him and found him weeping. They were surprised and said, “Rabbi, why are you so afraid? You have lived a life of wisdom and kindness. Surely you have no reason to fear meeting God.”
Zusya replied, “I am not afraid that God will ask me, ‘Why were you not Moses?’ I am afraid God will ask me, ‘Why were you not Zusya?’”
This teaching holds a mirror to the spiritual task we all share: to become who we truly are.
In times of great upheaval, it’s tempting to anchor ourselves in comparison—comparing our efforts to the great prophets, our leadership to those in power, our wisdom to the voices we admire. But the sacred invitation is not to become someone else. It is to fully inhabit the life, the body, the voice we’ve been given. To become, as Rabbi Zusya feared he might not have, fully ourselves.
Spiritual traditions across time and culture whisper the same truth: There is no enlightenment in imitation. There is only awakening in authenticity.
Becoming ourselves is not a passive journey. It takes courage to walk away from the expectations that shaped us. It takes discipline to listen inwardly when the world is shouting from every direction. It takes trust to believe that the soul knows its shape even when we do not.
Perhaps this is why spiritual practice matters so deeply—not to perfect us, but to return us. Not to make us more impressive, but more whole.
So today, may you hear the question Rabbi Zusya carried in his final breath: “Am I becoming who I truly am?”
And may you live in such a way that when your time comes, you will answer with joy: “Yes. I was fully, faithfully myself.”
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What parts of yourself have you hidden or ignored in order to meet others’ expectations?
Who are you when no one else is watching or requiring anything of you?
What helps you return to your truest self?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Returning
Holy One,
Strip away the voices that are not mine,
the masks I wear to please, to perform, to protect.
Call me back to the shape of my own soul.
Help me listen to what is true in me—
not what is polished,
but what is honest.
Not what is loud,
but what is lasting.
Give me courage to walk as myself
in a world that too often rewards imitation.
Let my life be a living answer to Your question:
Why were you not who I made you to be?
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
The Name Beneath the Name
Find a quiet moment today and write your name at the top of a page—your first name, your full name, whatever feels true.
Now ask yourself: Who is this person beneath the roles, the resumes, the expectations?
Write what arises. Let the words flow without editing. Not what others expect of you, but who you are when you are most alive, most at ease, most connected to the sacred.
Read what you’ve written. Sit with it. Then, write your name again at the bottom of the page—this time as a blessing, a recognition:
Yes. This is who I am becoming.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
NEW!!! On June 4, 2025, from 7-8pm ET, join Brian McLaren, Matthew Fox, and me for an exploration of “In the Midst of Doom: Facing Our Moment and Finding Our Way” inspired by Brian’s latest book. In an age of climate crisis, political unraveling, and societal collapse, many are asking: What now? What’s worth doing when the systems around us are failing? How do we find meaning beyond hope as we’ve known it? Join us and we will explore together. Register here.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. Together, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate “good soil” in our lives, our communities, and our spiritual practices. I hope you will register. Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
July 14, 2025 - On June 14—Flag Day—Donald Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like. Find a protest in your city HERE. I will be out there with you!
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
Thank you. Your reflection is such an inspiring eloquent reminder to love and know ourselves as God intended for us. Blessings for your day and ministry….
It just so happens that I am in the Tetons as I read today's meditation. Adding that photo to today's message strengthens my need for it and the power within it. Thank you.