First a Daughter or Son

Photo by Maureen Kennedy Macel

When Jesus was about thirty years old, he was baptized by John the Baptist and began his ministry. We read in Scripture that at Jesus’ baptism, the voice of God the Father was heard from the heavens saying:

“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22

Jesus is a lot of things: Word of God, Savior, Healer, Miracle Worker, Preacher, Teacher, Prince of Peace, Carpenter, Friend, Lord, Suffering Servant, Son of Mary, the Christ, the one who sets people free, and many other titles and attributes.

But here he is defined by God as a Son above all other things.

Let us be mindful of this Truth: We are not defined by our work, life circumstances, strengths or weaknesses, successes or failures, or status. Our identity is first and foremost as a son or daughter of God.

Hear God speak this to you: “You are my daughter/son, the beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Know that he delights in you simply because you exist. He created you with love, and he will always claim you, and his loving heart is there to embrace you in every moment of your life.

Oops! Sometimes I’m an opinionated control freak.

Photo by Maureen Kennedy Macel

… Jesus’ mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now. … John 2:5-10

While reading this the other day, I was struck by the servants’ silence and obedience. I became aware of my own tendency to weigh in on things and to share opinions and viewpoints that I feel are correct and justified.

If I was in the story, it would probably read much differently: Jesus would say, “Fill the jars with water. … Now take them to the chief steward.” And I may say to him or those around me, “What does he think he’s doing? What is this going to fix? They don’t need water, they need wine.  Dang, these jars are heavy. Great, now this steward is going to think I'm out of my mind. If Mary would have asked me to take care of the wine, I would have done it another, better way instead.”

I’m grateful the helpers in the story were servants; I can learn a lot from them. If you’re like me and if opinions, criticisms, and complaints sometimes creep out of your mouth, this is a friendly reminder that we are not the center of the universe. God is at work in each of our lives. Would you like to join me in prayer and ask for the grace to walk where God is leading and to trust his plan?

Good and loving God, come into my heart and help me to follow you with obedience, trust, and faith. Create in me a willingness to be led. Free me from the desire to be in control and to be seen as "right" or better than others. Help me to recognize my ego at work and to bring it low so that your work may be accomplished and that you may be glorified. I believe in your love for me, and I trust you. Amen.