02-23-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 23, 2024
Donna and I were watching a little of the movie/musical, The Greatest Showman, and I don’t believe there are very many musicals that make me want to leap up and dance like that one. Now let me be clear: I don’t do much leaping, and the dancing is done in the privacy of my home, but the music and choreography are so inspiring. The song, This Is Me, begins with the words:

I am not a stranger to the dark
"Hide away, " they say
"'Cause we don't want your broken parts"
I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars
"Run away, " they say
"No one'll love you as you are"

And then, a little later in the song, there is a shift in the emotion, a new level of energy, and what I can only describe as divinely-inspired pride. They go on to sing,

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out
This is brave, this is bruised
This is who I'm meant to be, this is me
Look out 'cause here I come
And I'm marching on to the beat I drum
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me

It is a rebirth story, a story of people having a reset in their lives, but from the stand point of finding themselves, embracing themselves, loving themselves, and not allowing any of the negative energy of life to deter this new found sense of self. 

Who are you? Don’t answer that question with what the negative voices have tried to implant within you. Instead, allow for God’s opinion to speak forth with complete clarity in regard to your beloved status. Make no apologies! This is who God made you to be.

As I push my way through all the negative, hurtful, and malevolent ideas that have been laid upon me, O God of Grace, I pray for the courage to step forth on the other side as one bathed in your love and holy affirmations. Amen.