Be Loved, And It Will Change the Cosmos

At the cross the world discovered that you cannot beat brokenness. I do not wish to wait for hindsight to treasure and cherish the power and wisdom of God in broken scenes such as the nativity and the cross (often times in hindsight we are more apt to receive blessing. If only we were to receive it now!)

Paul combats the prideful boasting of the Corinthian church. They have no seeming sense of humility, as observed about and written by Dio Chrysostom: “shouting and reviling one another...fighting with one another, many writers reading aloud their stupid works, many poets reciting their poems...jugglers showing their tricks...peddlers not a few peddling whatever they happen to have”.

I can’t help but completely and utterly relate to the Corinthians. I have very recently realized how much I seek to boast in how I manipulate the way people view me, and I reflected back on what Bailey said about how the Corinthians were guilty of considerable boasting. In my initial nots on that comment he had made, I wrote in the margins an observation on how the Corinthian society was very similar to our present society. But as of recent revelation, I realize that Paul is talking directly to me, not just to my society. 

CONSIDER YOUR CALL. 

In the same recent reflection, i have a new and Good vision. I know my call now. I am called BELOVED. 

When I am disconnected from my belovedness, I seek the approval of others by way of boasting (in all of its forms). However, boasting will always fail me. All of the masks and labels I paste on myself wear off and fall off. And all that is left is me. And because I don’t even recognize myself, I don’t feel seen, known, and I especially don’t feel beloved. In this lack of belovedness, I seek to control the only things I can control. I grasp for control of something, anything. And I have just shared one of my deepest disconnections, as a result of not embracing my belovedness. 

So, I feel for the corinthians and know that their boasting comes from a deep need to be loved in a way that we cannot and have never been able to attain or earn. By the Powerful becoming Powerless in order to shame human strength and  wisdom, He has defined a Wisdom and Power worthy of attention, praise, face-on-the-ground worship. 

So, I am called beloved. That is my call. That is the Corinthian call. 

My response, believe. 

Paul was called, Paul believed. I am called, I believe. Paul was called, Paul came. I am called, I come. 

My response, inviting incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ into everything, the dichotomous beauty and brokenness to be for me Wisdom and Power, Life, Fullness, the Only Healing. 

Be Loved. 

And connection will follow. 

And being “right” will not be necessary. 

And being seen will not be necessary. 

FOR I AM SEEN, KNOWN, AND DEEPLY LOVED THROUGH THE POWERLESS STRENGTH AND FOOLISH WISDOM OF JESUS THE WORD INCARNATE. 

My belovedness will allow me to be free to forget myself and love others. My belovedness will free me and change the atmosphere. 

Held. Behold. I am held.

Alyssa N.