"The Sound of the Genuine" Reflection

November 18th, 2013                                                  

            When I think of the word “genuine,” my heart smiles and I think of a person that is pure, authentic, real, sincere, and unadulterated. Hopefully, my husband will possess all these virtuous characteristics. That single word is what struck me when I came across it in the title of “The Sound of the Genuine” by Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman. It was indeed a beautiful piece of literature being that it was a Baccalaureate Address. The entire piece speaks to me as well as refreshes my outlook due to the fact that the message last night at my church was on identity.

            “There is in every person something that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in herself… And if you miss the sound of the genuine in you, you will be a cripple all the rest of your life. Because you will never be able to get a scent on who you are.” We as people tend to try to create our own lives based on who we think we are, who others think we are, what we think we should be doing, and what we actually do. When we fail, we become confused, lost, a little depressed, then lose focus, and finally ask the question, “Who am I?”

 This quote brought forth in the beginning corresponds with the next. “You are the only you that has ever lived; your idiom is the only idiom of its kind in all the existences, and if you cannot hear the sound of the genuine in you, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.” The way that Thurman words this is amazing on its own. He uses “genuine” as the REAL you to basically describe who you’re really supposed to be; yet he does not include God anywhere in the address at the beginning of his writing as to not offend anyone. He uses very careful tactics in such a way that he has the audience full attention and possibly has the entire body meditating on their lives and identities.

In my perspective, he is referring to the soul and the spirit the entire time. Our soul is what longs for the connection to our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior, the One who created us. Our true spirit is looking for that relationship with Christ; eternity. We were all created with and for a purpose, entitled to separate positions of which many do not even walk into, because they stumble or quit along the way. “There is something in you…” There really is something in you, in me, and everybody else, called a Kingdom identity; but if the kingdom is not sought, how could anyone know or even understand?  The flesh is what gets us into great trouble as we push toward pleasure and worldly lusts that draw us in to false identities and we try to create ourselves, who we think we are. As Thurman stated, “Don’t be deceived and thrown off…”

            In the book of Jeremiah, the 1^st chapter verse 5, it clearly states, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee.” This word from the bible goes in perfectly with the meaning of his address.

            What sits a little funny with me is that it is somewhat in code, the genuine meaning of the address, so would the vast majority catch the meaning of it? Is it only meant for a select few or would it allow many to finally open up their eyes to see the truth, to seek the truth?

            Thurman finally involves the spiritual connection in the ending and one day I hope to have the exact experience and be able to say to Jesus, “I see in me what you see in me.” Then and only then will I fully be in direct alignment with who I am, for real. That day will be extremely beautiful and powerful. God sees us as so much more than we see ourselves. We tend to downplay what we can do and never really reach the full potential that He desires of us. Why? Simply because of doubt and unbelief usually instilled within us by a parent, coach, teacher, etc. Circumstances and environments play a huge role as well. I must surpass that, I have to, then “the wall that separates and divides will disappear, and we will become one.”

            What does this address say to me? It discloses that I should be true to myself, be who I am called to be, be the best that I can be regardless of the attacks that come against me, walk in my Kingdom identity, and be one with the spirit that will lead and instruct me on my assignments, as this is why I was created. When everything else fails, at least I’ll know WHO I AM instead of asking the question, “WHO AM I?”

            I give Thurman his props as a writer, minister, educator, philosopher, visionary, and whatever else he identifies with. His writing is probably the only one that I could FULLY understand, compare with, and engage this semester. He’s more of a messenger and teacher with a purpose. I enjoyed the fact that I can actually use this information in my life as well as it being confirmation to another message. When I read, I want to get something out of it, more so a lesson, other than just an experience or a bunch of emotions that’s worthy of leaving me disgusted. I can honestly say, well done, Rev., well done.

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To access the actual commencement address, click here: The Sound of the Genuine.