words…
when God uses words, when God speaks, things come to life.
words..
…they convert.
…they transform.
thomas merton once wrote that "to work out our own identity in God, which the Bible calls 'working out our salvation', is a labor that requires sacrifice and anguish, risk and many tears."
being one who is and will continually be seeking salvation – that is to say my 'own identity in God' – it is striking how 12 words, 12 words, when received in the heart of humanity converts and transforms not only our lives, but the lives of others.
12 words.
"You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased."
Jesus approaches a line with many other men and women waiting their turn to be baptized by John.
anonymous.
eventually, Jesus is standing in front of John and it's…well, quite…normal.
no fireworks, no drama, no pretense…just two men who know instinctively what is suppose to happen in this moment to 'fulfill all righteousness'.
Jesus walks away.
slowly. alone.
by Himself.
it has been said that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" but have we missed the 'sacrifice and anguish, risk and many tears' that come with this vocation, this calling? each of us IS fearfully, uniquely and wonderfully made. we have a completely unique identity in God, yet, have we considered the loneliness that is inherent in our calling?
in our neglect, has culture created a curse out of a blessing?
have we neglected the beauty of loneliness?
is it not that loneliness is a prerequisite for the life of the unique and the one-of-a-kind?
12 words…
convert loneliness to fellowship.
12 words…
resurrect loneliness from the mire of culture's curse and back to the shores of the Jordan where we meet Jesus face to face…like John…to fulfill all righteousness.
we behold.
12 words…
when received by us empower us to see that there IS joy in suffering.
12 words…
when received by us transforms us…word becomes flesh.
incarnation.
when we receive the 12 words, we – the sons and daughers of God…the Beloved – we become the Body that is to be broken in order that sin can be dealt in the lives of ALL those around us.
when we receive the 12 words, we suffer with Christ.
12 words.
"You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased."