Advent Day 3

Tuesday, December 3rd

“Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” – John 18:37 (NRSV)

Do you sometimes feel like you’re swimming in the seas of ambiguity and contradiction? One minute the world makes sense and I know who I am and what I’m good at, and the next I’m questioning myself, my worth, my gifts. Is my problem or pain too much? Did I screw everything up? Am I a good enough parent, friend, partner, coworker? Should I have this figured out by now? Perhaps you have similar questions spinning around your mind.

I am beginning to think this is part of what it means to be human. One minute, we are messy and stingy and irritable, but the next, we can be absolutely radiant with beauty, wonder, and generosity. We’re all of these things, yet sometimes, it’s in the mirror of another’s perception that we can see the truth.

I am largely a product of my earthly father’s affirmations and encouragement. As I was growing up, he would say to me, “You are truly a wonder!” “Wow, you’re amazing!”

“You are the discovery of a lifetime!” Dad died fifteen years ago, but I still remember his words of encouragement with gratitude. He helped me believe I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.

When we are overwhelmed with brokenness or sorrow, we need people to remind us that we are still good, that there is goodness in the world, that we can be forgiven, and that it isn’t too late. We need to remember that we are loved—not for what we do but for who we are. This act of mirroring reflects back to us the truth that we are becoming. We are still being made. We need to remember creating and restoring is God’s specialty.

O Holy God, help me remember this truth: You made me by love, for love, and to love. Amen.