A few years ago now, I happened to come across a book that caught my eye.  It may have been because on the cover were photos of some very important people in my Spiritual Formation, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, and Mother Teresa – or it could have been because of the title, “Becoming Who You Are.”  Over time I have come to realize that book crossed my path at that very time because I was desperate for someone to tell me that my “true self” had worth – that I was an ORIGINAL.

We all want to hear this from time to time – actually we all need to hear it from time to time.  And just maybe the world is depending on us to acknowledge and embrace who we are so they too can see it in their lives. If it is true that we are made in the image of God and as Quakers we acknowledge “that of God in each person”, then who we are at our very core is more than simply unique.

“All of us are called to meditate deeply on our own true selves, to embrace the reality of our vocations, and to let God transform our true selves into sources of new life for others.” (Becoming Who We Are, Martin)

When we choose to live out of our originality then we begin becoming what God had intended all along. Our gifting, abilities, perspectives, emotions, likes and dislikes, and so much more make us who God intended us to be.  This originality draws us into relationships and community and gives us unique tools to help those around us – our sisters and brothers, neighbors, and friends.

This year we at SFC are going to explore just what it means that “each of us is an original.” The Elders and I chose Galatians 5:25-26 from The Message to be our theme verse for 2016-2017.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.    Galatians 5:25-26 (MSG)

It was the religious scholar and mystic, Meister Eckhardt, who said it succinctly, “No one has known God who has not known himself.” You and I are original masterpieces made by the Master Artist. When we explore our own originality, just maybe we will find ourselves bumping into the God who created us and whose image runs through our veins.  What an exciting possibility!

You are invited to join us as together we explore the reality that we are “Each an Original” this year!  Join us on Kick-off Sunday, October 2 before worship @10:00am in the sanctuary to find out all the opportunities and ways to explore this year.  Hope to see you there!

Grace and Peace, Pastor Bob+