Before Jesus has done anything significant in his ministry; before he has any followers, has preached any public messages, performed any healings; before anyone looks at him and calls him "the Messiah," he joins the ranks of people being baptized by John in the Jordan River. At that moment, a voice from the heavens makes public what has always been true: Jesus is God's beloved child, with whom God is so well pleased.
So it is with us. Before--and apart--from anything that we do or don't do, God's love washes over us and claims us. Nothing can separate us from this love. No failure or mistake. Nothing. No matter how big.
In this message, Pastor Eric reflects on what kind of life would grow in us if we lived from this place--rather than living as we so often do: in the anxiety of trying to prove that we are worthy; that we're enough--good, smart, beautiful, strong, etc. enough. When we live from this place of fear and insecurity, which are sisters of un-love, we become judgmental. If we find ourselves pointing out all the failures and imperfections of others, it's a sign that we've been unable to love those things within ourselves.
It turns out that the life that flows from one rooted in it's irrevocable belovedness is a stark contrast to one rooted in un-love. So, as you move into the new year, what might grow in and through you if you dared to keep returning to this love as your center?
