The Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:1-18

Sometimes when I am feeling overwhelmed or stuck, I have to look backwards to remember how far I have come. When I feel abandoned by God, I look back and see just how blessed and loved I am. We all have days of disappointment and confusion. I can wonder how I got so lost or why I feel like I am struggling harder than ever. I remember then, that I have been on a path of following Jesus and the road is not in my control, but it is always surprising and miraculous, even when darkness descends.

John does not begin his Gospel by describing the ancestry of Jesus but rather with the heart of God where the real life of the Incarnate God began. There in the center of love and creation is the beginning of all that is good, our lives and our redemption. God acting for a very broken world giving birth to a grand new possibility, new hope and transformation. God doesn't stop becoming flesh after the cross and resurrection. That was a beginning and God continues to walk among us if we wouls but recognize love and hope and hold on tight.

Today I ask God to help me hold on tight. The seas may get rough and the challenges many, yet still God promises to be among us today, full of love and healing in our darkest moments.