Still your heart, quieten your mind,
Let go your flickering anxious thoughts.
Today I come to worship you, Lord God, in the middle of a season that for many feels hectic and frantic and stressful - and for others, lonely and quiet and sad.
Today, as I come to you in worship, Lord God, I bring myself, just as I am.
In the stillness of the next few moments, just think of a word - or perhaps more than one to describe how you are feeling today. How might you summarise where you are today?
If you’ve got an easy way to write the word or words down, you could do that. Or you can just repeat them in your mind or under your breath.
Offer these words as prayer. Offer yourself, just as you are, as prayer. I am here, Lord.
[Hold a time of stillness.]
I am here Lord, fully myself.
I give you thanks for all I have received.
I am sorry for all I have failed to do.
I am grateful that you forgive and accept me, just as I am.
Thank you, Holy God.
I am here to worship, bringing my whole self to you. May you use me and my own unique calling, to build your Kingdom here on Earth.
Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Bible Reading: Luke 3:1-6
Do you ever feel like you are on the outside? Like you do not quite belong?
Most of us probably have this feeling at some point or other during our lives, the sense of being marginalised. Sadly, many people in our world experience that more than others, because of their gender, sexuality, ethnicity or background.
If that is you, then may you take heart from the story of John the Baptist. He is a reminder that there is a space for everyone in God’s kingdom. In this story, the outcast, the eccentric, the bizarre guy with the locust-eating habit finds himself heralded and blessed, as the one making space for the coming of the son of God, the arrival of the Christian religion, and the transformation of human history.
John steps out of the shadows, and acts as the model for us all. No matter how wild, no matter how eccentric, no matter how much you might feel like you do not ‘fit in’, Jesus is calling you. We have a part to play. You have a part to play. Are you ready?
How can we be more like John? Firstly, we can point people towards Jesus. John the Baptist is ordained to make a path in the wilderness, to point out the significance of the person who is following him, to baptise Jesus and bless his ministry. He himself is not the light, but he has come to testify to the light, to point people towards the light.
Are there people around you, in your family, in your community, who you could point towards Jesus today? Are there people you could demonstrate Jesus’ love, truth and hope towards today? This week? In the months ahead?
love and prayers Revd Sara
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