A Silent Inhale

"And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him; and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:16-17

I wonder about the sounds of creation, the day of Jesus' baptism. Was it a day of silence and stillness when it seemed all of creation paused upon it's inhale? You know the kind I speak of, right? An inhale when everything stops and waits; waiting . . . expecting, with it's lungs filled to capacity, frozen in time, and space, as one does when sensing impending pain, anguish, and outcome?

I recall taking my babies to the doctor for an illness that required more than a quick fix such as written prescription of antibiotic. Although I knew what must be done for the sake of the child; for their health and restored wholeness, I also knew the pain that must be endured along with the shock to their little system, as their tiny appendage was invaded by the "stick" of a needle causing them to cry out in pain. In the split seconds before my precious babies body was so necessarily invaded, I inhaled a frozen breath that was held with the grimace of knowing what was to come. Was the sound on the day of Jesus' baptism . . . this same kind of silent, frozen inhale?

Or, was the day filled with the air clapping its hands as it blew through he trees, rustling to attention all of creation, as a crowd would usher onto the stage an anticipated performer, or like an audience responding to the announcement that the "Maestro" of heaven was about to lead a symphony of praise. . . the "Opus Christo" if you will. Were the locusts tuning up with their rapid buzzing? Were the birds practicing their pitch with their chirps, quacks and caws? Was the water licking at the rivers edge in a rhythmic melody? Was all of creation preparing to hear the hymn "This Is My Beloved?" I wonder.

I wonder . . . as Jesus approached the rivers edge, was He drawn in by the inhale . . . or was he moved on by the exhale of the breath of God. Did He know the invasion that was about to come? Humanity needed more than the written prescription of the prophets; but did He know that He . . . the Incarnate Christ; God with us, would soon follow through; filling the prescription, by offering the sacrifice of His blood? His blood being the only sure cure that could restore the world to wholeness, and rightness with God. Did Jesus know that by stepping into the waters of baptism, He would be required to be pierced; an invasion of his humanity; so that His divinity could spill forth? One thing is for sure, whether He knew it at that moment or not, He was willing to be obedient!

And yet, as I think on it . . . isn't that what is required of us as well? That we, in obedience, live out the promises made at our baptism. Promises made to God by us, and the covenantal community of faith surrounding us; that we live our lives in such a way that the divine nature of Christ within us, can be spilled out onto a world that needs the healing, restoring and atoning work of the blood of Christ.

Whether we are drawn by the prevenient inhale of Gods wooing, or if we are nudged on by the sanctifying exhale of God, are we not yet moved? Is God NOT the one who longs for us to be made whole and restored to rightness? And, isn't the promise to be with us, our Helper, our guide in life . . . whether at the times in our life, when God is silent on the inhale . . . or whether at the times in our life, God is a-buzz on the exhale . . . aren't we, at both times, filled with all the necessary abilities we need? And aren't we then, always equipped for the journey?

I realize the affirmation that God gave Jesus "this is my Beloved, in whom I am well pleased," wasn't based on Jesus' performance, since He had not yet performed any great works or a miracle great or small! This affirmation came only to acknowledge who and whose Jesus was, based on that alone . . . comes the affirmation, and it's the same for us!

WOW!! So, now I know that the constant ringing in my ears is much more than "Tinnitus Audible." It's the sound of locusts tuning up and encouraging me. It's the sound of birds chirping out a praise chorus in my ear, it's the sound of all creation spurring me on in the faith, during the inhales and exhales of life!