Greetings
How’s it going with you?
Here’s today’s nougat
… and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Matthew 3.17
Affirmation. The reminder that what we do matters. God wasn’t obliged to publicly affirm Jesus after he had been baptised, or any other time for that matter. But God opted to place on him that stamp of approval. In public. Awesome
According to renowned sociologist Maslow, it is one of the things which a person places high on their need listing (though it carries a slightly different title). And for some, it is even more valuable than being highly paid.
Yet, many of us are not as gifted with the willingness to affirm those around us. Perhaps we are worried that it will reduce productivity, or that the one affirmed will abuse the praise. Whatever the reasoning, we might be stingy to the point of being like Scrooge in the giving of praise (or even a decent grade to those we teach or supervise).
But God’s public acknowledgement of Jesus, complete with the dove as divine witness, insists that we do likewise. With or spouses, our siblings, our children, relatives and friends, colleagues, superiors, subordinates, and especially those who seem to have the special spiritual gift of grumpiness.
Could this be the day when we make someone else’s day?
God bless you. Thanks for being here with me.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
