Precious

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you,  
I have called you by name,you are mine. 
Because you are precious in my sight, 
and honored, and I love you...   Isaiah 43: 2,5   


Imagine how different our world would be if we all believed that God really loves each one of us. Now, you may be saying to yourself, "But I do know God loves me," and that would be great. Still, the sad fact is that there are plenty of folks, who believe they are the exception, folks who believe, "Well, God may love everybody, but God cannot possibly love me; I am the one exception." These folks are hung up on their unworthiness, but that does not change the fact that God loves each of us anyway. Deal with it!

So here's the quantum leap: even when we are feeling loved by God, even when we are feeling cherished and precious, can we rest in that love and, at the same time, understand and accept the fact that God feels that way about everyone? That God loves the colleague who drives you crazy and the person who cuts you off in traffic just as much as God loves you?

Consider this: Life is not about punishment anymore; it's about forgiveness. And life is not about being good enough; it's about grace.

Oh – if only we could believe that with all our hearts and minds and voices. What a wonderful world it would be!

Light or Darkness?

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking, "Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?" When King Herod heard this, he was frightened.....               Matt. 2:1-3

This week, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. So often we envision this as a happy, sentimental time: three mysterious strangers on camels bringing gifts to a child in a manger. But the Gospels are rarely about sentimentality; they are always teaching us, beckoning us to see ourselves in the story as we begin to understand how humanity responds to God in the world. 

The Wise Men, or whatever we want to call them, respond with a healthy curiosity. Why has a light shone on this particular place at this particular time? They investigate and find a child, and they are enthralled by him; captivated. Herod’s response is the exact opposite: Herod sees this light and is determined to extinguish it. His fears rule him; he leads from a place of fear. He reacts from fear.

Perhaps we need to look at the Feast of the Epiphany as a study in light and darkness. Notice that the light shines upon Jesus. Those who are not ruled by fear follow the light and are recipients of that light.  Those who are ruled by fear merely want to extinguish the light.

We have seen the light of Christ; the star.  We worship it, and in worshipping it, Jesus reminds us that we are the light of the world. In worshipping it, we refract the light out into the world.

As we approach the Feast of the Epiphany, think about light: both the Divine Light that shines upon you and the Divine Light that you shine on those around you.  Hearts that lead with fear seek to extinguish the light. Hearts that lead with faith shine that light into a world in desperate need of it. How is your light shining in the world?

May the Star that is lit in you be a light to the world.