Today’s scripture: John 1:19-34 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tammy Mills):
I am coming to this realization kind of late, but I am really starting to dig Lady Gaga! I don’t know if I am a “little monster” yet, but there is something about the truth in her music that speaks to my soul.
It was with my Lady Gaga soundtrack going in my head that I first read this scripture. As I was reading about John being questioned about who he was, I thought about the new Lady Gaga release, Born This Way. That song is so powerful. It calls for each of us to celebrate who we really are. She challenges us to take off the mask and just be who you were born to be!
Today’s scripture reminds me how solid John was about being exactly who he was born to be. I think it might have been easy for him to be sidetracked and to forget what he was meant to do — he was the one who was to come before the messiah. After all, he had large followings, the church leaders were questioning him and he was baptizing anyone who came forward. He was doing everything to prepare the way! Even with all those forces trying to push him in a certain “messiah” box, he never allowed it to push him off course.
I have a hunch it was because John was so grounded in being exactly who he was that he was able to see who Jesus was so clearly! When we aren’t clear about our own selves it is often difficult to see who others truly are. Like John and Lady Gaga, I am going to work to be more grounded in who I really am! (After all, I was born this way!) Perhaps as I become clearer about who I am, I will see more clearly the truth all around me. I might even begin to be aware of the many times in a day the spirit of the messiah comes my way.
Thought for the day: Do I accept myself? Does how I see myself affect how I see the Divine?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.
A message from Pastor Jeff for those who live far from our Church