Thursday, May 9, 2013

John 1:8

This John—he was not actually the Light, rather he was one who saw and recognized the Light when he saw Him.  John 1:8 EFP

Children are amazing.  Their energy is something to be admired.  Their ability to create, destroy, and imagine both, is almost limitless. My grandson, Ruben “the Hero” is a prime example.  The “Hero” moniker is a self-designated title to distinguish himself from the cadre of Rubens that inhabits his little world.  He must have concluded one day that almost everyone alive is named Ruben, thus he requests to be called Hero. 

The name has more significance to him than simply a means to self-identify; it is also a testament to his ability to imagine himself with limitless power over the lesser beings in his world.  He is stronger, faster, and more agile than everyone else he knows (except his father for some reason).  It is amazing (and sometimes painful) to see him try to exert his power over others.  Most of the time I, and his uncle Robert—the  primary foci of his domination, are willing to overlook his harmless efforts.  Occasionally however, we choose to remind him “who’s boss” by immobilizing him with our superior strength.  This does not detract “the Hero” in the least!  He continues to wiggle and fight and exert this “super-strength” on us in a perceived attempt to overwhelm us with his prowess and free himself from our puny clutches.  Sadly, we usually relent, thus feeding his mystique.  Oh, well.

But the fact is he is not the super-strength being he believes himself to be at this tender age.  One day he will come to grips with the fact that he is not all-powerful.  There is only one who is, and that being does not live in our mortal realm.  Likewise John clearly has no allusion to being the Light, although he is most certainly a light, or witness, to the Light—the Word, of, from, and one with God, who is the creative force behind all that exists in and beyond our world.  We are and can never be the Light, only a light that points to the source.  Things get all messed up when those roles are mixed up.  One could argue that is how we got ourselves into this “sin” mess to begin with.

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