Embracing the Journey of Faith: Begin Again

Hello, beloved friends in Christ! This week, we’re diving into a moment in scripture that not only changed Jesus’ life but also has the power to change ours. It’s a moment in Luke’s Gospel that’s raw, real, and full of transformative energy. 

Let’s set the scene: It’s a dusty, sun-baked day by the Jordan River. It’s not glamorous. It’s not where you expect something epic to happen. But then, this man named John shows up. Wild-eyed and passionate, he’s calling everyone around him to change—to repent, to prepare. And not just in some casual way—he’s demanding it. "Prepare the way of the Lord!" he shouts. He’s not asking. He’s saying do it now.

And then, in the middle of all this commotion, a man steps into the water. It’s Jesus. Holy, perfect, the Son of God—but He humbly steps into the river with the rest of us. He doesn’t need to be baptized, but He chooses to be. And the moment He comes out of the water, something unbelievable happens.

The heavens tear open. The Spirit of God descends like a dove. And God’s voice booms—"You are my Son, the Beloved; with you, I am well pleased." In front of everyone, Jesus is publicly declared the Beloved. The mission to save, to heal, to redeem, begins here.

But here’s the thing: this story isn’t just about Jesus. It’s about you. It’s about me. Because, just as Jesus is declared the Beloved Son, we too are claimed as God’s beloved children. Our baptism marks us as God’s own. We are sealed with love. We don’t earn it. We receive it. Can you feel it? You are God’s beloved. Say it with me: I am beloved. 

But it doesn’t stop there. This story calls us to examine our lives. As we move through our busy days, how are we preparing our hearts to follow Jesus? This mid-winter season has a way of pulling us into routines, of making us forget the extraordinary potential of each moment. But this passage calls us to wake up. It challenges us to actively "make straight the paths" in our hearts. How can we carve out space for prayer, for acts of kindness, in our noisy world? How can we Begin Again?

As we continue this journey through life, let’s remember who we are: beloved children of God. Reflect on your baptism. Let it fuel your every step. Let it propel you to follow Jesus with humility, compassion, and faith. We can always begin again. Trust that God is walking with you, guiding you through this life.

Are you ready to make space for God? To let God move in your life in ways that you can’t even imagine yet? The call is real. The moment is now. Let’s step into it together. Amen.