Understanding Self

Daily Office Thoughts: 07/21/17

Rev. Allen C.
Jul 21, 2017 · 2 min read

“As John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the one you think I am, but he is coming after me. I’m not worthy to loosen his sandals.’” Acts of the Apostles 13:25

In the synagogue of Antioch, after the reading of the Law and Prophets, an invitation was offered for anyone to share their thoughts. Paul stood and, as was often his custom, gave a brief recap of the history of salvation as he knew it. He began with how God had delivered the people from Egypt and led them through the wilderness, leading through the story of the OT until he came to John the Baptist, precursor to the Messiah.

Of all the things he could’ve said about John, he chose to focus on his humility. On the sense of his role in salvation’s story and his self understanding of who he was in relation to the one to come.

Related to the lesson with Herod a couple of days ago, we are best served by adopting a humble and honest sense of self, beginning with the realization that we are not the most important person in our lives. God is most important. Others are important. And yes, we are important, but not so much that we should neglect showing the love we are commanded to offer both to God and others.

Self understanding is difficult. It challenges us to accept our limits but also embrace our potential. It shows a willingness to see ourselves in the bigger picture of what God is doing in and for the world, and how we might play our part.

We often have a distorted sense of ourselves. Either we think ourselves more than we really are, or less. We pretend either to be bigger and more important than others, or less. We love ourselves too much, or too little.

Self understanding comes when we accept ourselves for the totality of our being. What we’re good at, what we’re not. What makes us tick, what makes us slip. What makes us heroes, or villains.

For persons of faith, self understanding comes best when we see ourselves in relation to our Creator and Redeemer. To understand ourselves as the person whom the Spirit is trying to help us to be. The forgiven sinner. The redeemed wretch. The beloved child. The gifted disciple. Daughter or son of God and citizen of Christ’s Kingdom.

It comes when what’s most important to us is finding our role and playing our part in the bigger story that God is writing for this world and its people. Where a single word or act is part of the symphony of grace that God has composed for all the people of the earth to sing together like the heavenly hosts.

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Rev. Allen C.

Written by

Child of God. Husband, uncle, friend, cat human. Pastor of StJohnPres. Spiritual Director - So. Indiana Great Banquet. Cartoonist, and uke enthusiast.

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