What are you? The reading for the second day of the Jesse Tree was Genesis 2:7-9; 18-24. It helped me answer that question. Not only did it help answer the question, but it also challenged me, at the beginning of this liturgical year, to work on tearing down the walls and strongholds in my life. Let me explain.
Man became a living soul
Verse 7 tells us man became a living soul AFTER God breathed life into him. God is my Source and apart from Him I can do nothing. Only when I am connected, through prayer, worship and community am I fully alive. The Truth is, I am dependent.
From the ground
All created things were created from the ground. Man, trees, every beast and bird. This confirmed for me the fact that EVERYTHING belongs and should be treated with reverence because God willed it all into existence. Yes, humans have intellect and will. The only creature with those things, but I pose a question: Does that make us better or does it simply impose greater responsibility on us? The idea that everything belongs because it’s all created from the same substance gave deeper meaning to the word stewardship and opened my eyes wider to my role in this world as a steward of God’s creation. It humbled me as I considered God’s conscious desire to create both me AND the trees and birds in my backyard. The Truth is, I am connected.
In my nakedness
In my nakedness? Oh my! LOL! Verse 24 tells us “man and his wife were both naked and unashamed.” Can I just say – I imagine how comfortable that must have been and I’m a little jealous. No uncomfortable bras, underwear, pants and belts, but I digress. Reading about the nakedness brought to mind the freedom in vulnerability. As I expose my thoughts through this blog and the Tuned in to Love podcast, there’s a sense of freedom that comes with sharing who and what I am.
Adam and Eve were not ashamed of being naked as long as they held on the God’s words and were obedient to His words. As soon as they allowed another voice to take control, all hell broke loose -literally. Can we acknowledge the same thing happens to us. Can we resolve to stay true to who we are in God – to remain in His love and stay in our lane. Can we say yes to Him alone and allow Him to work through us so that we too can be free and unashamed in our nakedness? The Truth is, I am vulnerable.
Full circle
Who am I is often the big question in life. The answer may be different depending on who you ask. But the Truth is I am a child of God. Today I ponder the question: WHAT am I? The TRUTH not the image I’ve created. I am dependent, I am connected and I am vulnerable. I am dependent on God, connected to everything He created and striving to be as “naked” as Adam and Eve in the garden before the fall. While this may be the Truth, there’s always a struggle within me because it’s counter-cultural. Society would have us believe that it’s best to be independent, selfish and strong. These are the roads that lead to happiness, right? Today I renounce that lie and declare the truth that dependence, community and vulnerability are the roads which lead to joy and joy is not fleeting. It is unshakeable! This Advent, strive toward JOY! God bless you!
