Today’s scripture: John 18:28-38a (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
It seems that every time I think about the words in today’s passage, I find myself reflecting on just how clear Jesus’ thinking and conversation was in the midst of chaos, anger, hate, and fear. I mean, from the benefit of having the scriptures, I already know the “rest of the story.” Jesus is on a fast-track to death, yet he remains present and very clear in his “words” and in his “being”.
To want to see clearly might be considered a true act of fearlessness. To open our heart and mind, to be open to what life is offering us in this moment, requires tremendous courage and steadfastness.
In the openness, we will counter the information we push away, the messages we won’t hear, the ideas we reject, the people we make invisible. Openness also opens us to penetrating emotions — grief, sorrow, love, and compassion.
We find success in creating the space for “clarity” when we simply bear witness to what’s present — to what is. The less we sort, judge, categorize, or distinguish the more we see and feel. Without our usual filters and boundaries, we stop feeling threatened or thrilled. We discover that we’re much larger than our usual boundaries. In fact, we’re big enough to take it all in.
And wonderfully true, the more open we become, the less fear is present. Fear does a very good job of keeping us from being present, filling us with thoughts about what might happen in the future, or what seemed to have happened in the past. What do you think Jesus was thinking and feeling when he heard the words, “if he were not a criminal,” “we cannot legally execute him,” “what is it you have done”? Do you think he got caught up in the chaos, the drama, the stories? Nowhere do we get a sense that he lost control, resisted what is and suffered emotionally/mentally as a result.
In this present moment, fear is nowhere to be found. Clear seeing has no fear. We are “in this very moment” released from fear’s mesmerizing grip. To be free from fear, we merely need to be present. Then we can see clearly!
Thought for the day: How do I choose to “show up” now? Who do I now choose to be? This is what my soul is using my life to decide, every moment. My life is not a process of discovery as much as it is one of creation.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.