Stars, God DNA and Cracked Earthen Vessels

The three most dangerous stories we make up are the narratives that diminish our lovability, divinity, and creativity. - Brene Brown

I want you to know two very important things today that will change your life if you embrace them and hold them close to your heart.  

First, you are created in the image of God.  The good news is that this is true even if you don't believe in God.  

And listen, I'm not saying that last thing to sound condescending or holier-than-thou.  I just want you to allow yourself to bask in the idea of you being inundated with Divine DNA.  

The second thing I want you to know today is that you are made of stars.  This is true because we know that all of the atoms, molecules, cells and such that make you-you, are part of a finite number of elements that have been here since the beginning of all things. 

And all of those elements (stardust) came from somewhere else--spoken into existence by God in what some people call a "Big Bang" (how would you describe the creating, speaking voice of God?).  

Despite these two amazing things that all of us should know about ourselves, most of us tend to ignore them completely and we also tend to think pretty poorly of ourselves as a result.  

We downplay our value.  We diminish our worth.  We assume that we are not good enough, are too imperfect, broken and messed up to matter, really.  

And we never really own the fact that not only are we are made of stars, but we are also filled with God's DNA, and our value is immeasurable in God's eyes.  

In 2 Corinthians 4:7 the Apostle Paul writes the following beautiful reminder: 

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 

I was listening to the Leonard Cohen song "Anthem" the other day and the lyrics from the chorus spoke to me, and I recall those words as I think about my own frailty and yours:  

Ring the bells (ring the bells) that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything)
That's how the light gets in. 

May you recognize your worth and your value in the eyes of God---God whose DNA so thoroughly and completely fills you and forms you.  May you embrace with joy the stardust nature of your very body, and let your spirit be lifted.  

May you look kindly on the cracks in your own fragile, clay jar and know that those cracks are what let Light of Christ shine in/through you.   

May you come to believe in yourself as much as God does.  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.