Jesus’s baptism is a momentous event, or at least, it’s described that way in Scripture. He comes up from the water and hears the voice, “You are my beloved son; with you I am well pleased.” What a clear sign to him of who he is and how God loves him, and what a clear sign to everyone who witnesses it too.

What was it like for Jesus to be assured by a Godly voice in the sky? It seems like it would have made it easy to act out of his belovedness, not only because of the voice, but because his whole life was infused with signs of God’s great love for him. He probably still struggled through life’s hardships like we do, but what effect did knowing he’s beloved have on him?

And what about us? Because the thing is that we too are God’s beloved. Maybe we didn’t hear a voice from the sky at our baptism, but our baptism itself is a clear sign that each of us is God‘s beloved. If we stop and really notice, we can see that our whole lives are infused with signs of God‘s great love for us too. And yet, we don’t all seem to live as if we are God’s beloved or even keep God’s love in our awareness. At least, I don’t.

This gives me pause to wonder: what would it be like if we really took that in, if we knew deeply in our minds and hearts that we are God‘s beloved? What would it be like to know without a doubt that God is pleased with us? Just dream with me for a second.

I imagine that we could live with ease because we’d know that we’re just doing the best we can and that God is with us. If we could trust that we’re enough, we wouldn’t have to work so hard to compensate for the inadequacy we sometimes feel. We wouldn’t have to hustle for love because we’d know we already have plenty of it, and so we could notice God’s grace and presence instead of being distracted by all the things we do to try and earn respect and affirmation. We could admire others’ gifts without envy because we’d also know our own gifts. We wouldn’t be afraid of failure, because we’d know we’re loved no matter what, and so we could take risks and try new things and not hold ourselves back.

If we really centered on how loved we are, we would also have to notice how beloved each other person is too. If we knew everyone else was beloved, we wouldn’t judge, fear, or hate others. If we knew everyone was beloved, we would care for each other’s needs, and if we all had enough, no one would fixate on what they lack or accuse others of taking what’s theirs. People who feel loved and see others as beloved don’t victimize vulnerable people, so family members wouldn’t harm each other or their children – or anyone else. People who know they’re loved and love others don’t need to lord power over other people, and so there would be no more white supremacy. People could make reparations with open hearts and make room for each other because they’d trust that there’s plenty of room. Everyone would know that Black lives matter and act accordingly, and there would be no doubt that trans lives and immigrant lives and indigenous lives matter as well. People who recognize belovedness in each person can’t help but work for the common good, and so we could trust our leaders to do that, and they would. With no violence or injustice, there would be nothing left to protest, so we could take to the streets to celebrate each other.

My dreaming is probably more utopian than realistic, and if Jesus couldn’t create a perfect world while he was on earth, we might not be able to either. And yet, maybe that’s not the point. Maybe the point is to be intentional about recognizing our own belovedness and reflecting God’s love to other people as best we can. This baptism account is a story about us too; the voice of God is meant for us too. God wants us to know that we’re beloved. If you and I were to just spend a little time each day recognizing God’s love and basking in it, we would take it in a little bit and probably share it too. We might see a subtle shift around us. And if we persevered in noticing, claiming, and delighting in God’s love, that love might grow. The world is dry and brittle in its longing for love; any sparks we send out would likely catch and spread.

So, if you don’t already have an intention for the new year, here’s one: the belovedness challenge – to pray, work, and love others and ourselves as if we are God’s beloved. Because we are.

By Sister Leslie Keener, CDP