Dear church,
In the sermon this past Sunday, we heard good news about our acceptance at the table of the Lord being a settled issue. You don’t have to fight for your place in the kingdom or strategize how to be last now so that you can be first later. Christ has accepted you into himself — you are the body of Christ — and He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end!
Your place in the family of God is settled. The table of the Lord is ever-expanding and your seat is never threatened!
Hearing this good news isn’t enough. We may believe it in our bodies, but not yet in our bones. We have to work it into our bodies by noticing when God is inviting us to say ‘yes’ to the good news of our acceptedness. In DNA, this is what we called Embodied Response.
I want to invite you to join me in noticing opportunities for Embodied Response this week. Notice:
- When you question where you stand in a specific relationship
- A setting in which you feel pressure to make sure you come off a certain way
- An event or conversation that you keep replaying after it’s over and feeling shame about saying too much or too little or the wrong thing at the wrong time
First just notice. Take note of the feeling that arises. Write it down if it’s helpful. God is present and at work in your noticing. Once you’ve noticed and named that feeling, reflect on this good news:
You don’t have to strategize or strive for your place in the Kingdom of God. You are accepted. You are beloved. You are free to bring all of yourself as we gather around the Lord’s table on Sunday!
May you walk in the knowledge that you are not only welcomed but that you are beloved this week!
Peace,
Fr. Spencer
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