who are you and what are you doing here?

He lay sleepless in his bed, lost in prayer as he sought to understand some of the Torah he had read earlier in the day. Finally frustrated sleep would not come, the Rabbi got up and wandered out to take a walk hoping the fresh air would help clear his mind. Meandering outside the quiet walls of Jerusalem at night the Rabbi lost himself in prayer. Soon he was startled and more than a little confused to hear someone shout out “who you, and what are you doing?” Stopping to collect his scattered wits the Rabbi didn’t respond.

Again, the voice cried out “who are you and what are you doing?”

At this the Rabbi responded, “First tell me who you are and I will tell you who I am.”

So lost in thought, the Rabbi had walked up to a Roman garrison.

“I am a Roman Centurion, the guard of this Garrison. It’s my duty to keep track of who passes here.”

“Tell me”, said the Rabbi “How much do they pay you to do this?”

“Five Denari a day.” He responded.

“Then I will pay you ten Denari a day to stand outside my door and ask me this question each morning as I leave my home!” said the Rabbi.
****
Who are you, and what are you doing here?
Or
What’s your vision for your life?

One of those great life questions I’ve been pondering lately. Perhaps one day I’ll actually have an answer that matches both what I say AND what I do.