Today’s scripture: Luke 1: 57-66 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
About a year ago our editor assigned me Luke 1:68-79 (the verses immediately following today’s text) to use for my writing. That entry, Finding Your Voice, was published on December 8, 2011.
It hasn’t even been a year yet, but remarkable, even miraculous events have been occurring along my life journey. I referenced the beloved 1947 film Miracle On 34th Street in the original writing and I would like to share with you about the “Miracle On Meridian Street” that is literally days from being born. It will change the way men and women who are coming home from prison integrate with family and community. There are several LifeJourney Church family members who will have the opportunity to truly make a life-changing difference in the lives of hundreds and hundreds of God’s children.
Just last night, standing in the parking lot outside of the venue where the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus rehearses, I was talking with one of those members about the dream of being able to share our SoulShift curriculum with these re-entering men and women as part of their spiritual integration, and that’s just one part of an evolving plan that will honor and respect the intrinsic value of men and women who have only been known as “numbers” for years.
Like Elizabeth and Zachariah who questioned the Angel Gabriel who brought the news that big changes were on the way, many in Indianapolis said, “We’ve been trying to make changes for decades, how do you think you are going to be able to bring it about in such a short period of time?”
Can I just say, “I found my voice.” It wasn’t initially up to me to know “the how” of it all. My part began as a dream, a vision, an imagination of what could be, and over time that became a burning desire and passion and I began to FEEL the joy and elation of “the thing desired” as if it were already a reality. People, situations, and opportunities simply began to show up in my life. It’s been like standing at the source of an underground spring and following it as it flowed faster and became wider and deeper and now — days away from the biggest piece of the project coming into existence — like Zechariah, I sit here “scribbling” words to you announcing the imminent birth of a dream!
Can you feel it too? Pay attention to what’s happening inside your own sacred heart. . . are you now ready to finally ask and get an answer to the question, “What does Love look like, for me, in this moment?” You, my wonderful and loved brother and sister, can “find your voice” too. This is the time. This is the place. You are such a messenger!
Thought for the day: “A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all of the City people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, “What will become of these children of God? Clearly, God has his hand in this.” (my paraphrase of vs. 65-66)
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.