I am anointed

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me...  (Isaiah 61:1).

I wonder how often you or I remember that we are anointed. And that the anointing means something. As Isaiah says, the anointing is so that we can bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted.... (Is 61:1).

I am reminded of how often during this season of the year, I wish others peace, a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year. Yet, according to Isaiah, I am the one who should bring those gifts to others. You and I are to be the peacemakers, the source of joy and a power for healing. We have been anointed for that purpose.

In my work, how often I see individuals who have lost that sense of themselves. They no longer  believe in their strength, their power, or their resiliency. I can help them remember that those qualities are still within. I can be a source of "glad tidings" to the "poor of spirit" who have lost a sense of themselves.

I think that is the true message of Christmas. It is not so much for me to wish you a "Merry Christmas." I should remember my ability to bring "heal the brokenhearted..." The power is there, I just need to tap into it.

I am making myself a promise. I want to reflect on the message given to us through Isaiah, of being anointed, of being a source of joy and a power for healing.

I invite you to do the same.