Forgiving Oneself

Forgiveness is about creating a space for reconciliation and healing. Sometimes we commit offenses against ourselves. We tell ourselves things God would never say. We foolishly put ourselves in harm's way, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Sin is a breach of faith⏤of trust⏤always against God, and sometimes against self. Relationship with self is one of the broken trust connections Jesus came to restore. In the same way you might gift forgiveness to another person, love yourself enough to acknowledge pain, release self-loathing, and move toward freedom, wholeness, and a new trustworthiness.

Through and Through

The New Testament envisions the Church being thoroughly saturated with ⏤ marinated in ⏤ the character and ways of Jesus. We take the Father's name. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. I think our sacraments point to this. In baptism, we are fully immersed into God's name (Father, Son, and Spirit). And in the Eucharist, we take Jesus's body and blood into the deepest parts of us. In Christ, and Christ in us. Through and through.

Sovereign Servant

"For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves." ⏤ Luke 22:7

We can scarcely imagine sovereignty apart from control. Words like dominion, majesty, and preeminence describe an exalted position. With that position comes authority. But how that authority is exercised depends on the kingdom. We have been invited to imagine what we scarcely can, then learn to live where awe and wonder arouse self-control and imitation of our King.