A Little Light for the Way

Bright ideas, simple reflections — a little light for every step of the way.

What do you do with a bunch of old sermons? Turn them into a blog – refined, condensed, made for today’s world – feel free to use as written, or as fodder for your own message. It’s For you! No permission needed or credit given. (I mean, it’s not THAT great…) 😀

(Please scroll down for previous posts)

Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Second Sunday after Epiphany

Grace and peace to you, in the name of Jesus Christ—the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Amen.

If you’ve ever lived with a dog or a cat, you know how closely they can follow you. Not just from room to room, but everywhere. To the kitchen. To the bedroom. Even—yes—to the bathroom. They trail behind you as if whatever you’re doing must be the most important thing in the world. And if they could talk, you might finally turn around and ask, “What do you want? What are you looking for?”

That’s not a bad place to begin today, because in our Gospel reading, something very similar happens.

John the Baptist is standing with two of his disciples when Jesus walks by. John points him out and says, “Look, here is the Lamb of God.” And that’s it. That’s all it takes. The two disciples leave John and begin following Jesus.

They don’t say anything. They just walk behind him.

Finally, Jesus turns around and asks them a question that is simple, but also searching:
“What are you looking for?”

This isn’t small talk. It’s not a trick question. And it’s not just for those two disciples long ago. It’s a question Jesus keeps asking—across centuries, across cultures, and right into our lives today.

What are you looking for?

The Greek translation here is deeper than our English suggests. Jesus isn’t asking, “What do you want right now?” He’s asking, “What are you seeking? What are you hoping for? What is it that has stirred your heart enough to make you follow?”

That question feels especially honest in our time. Many of us are still sorting out what life looks like – even after years of disruption, uncertainty, and loss. Our bodies remind us of that. And even for those who are still on the younger side – our world right now just feels less predictable. The news is heavy. Relationships are changing. Churches are changing. Communities are changing. And somewhere beneath all of that, Jesus turns and asks us:
What are you looking for?

  • Some of us are looking for healing—of bodies that ache or aren’t doing what we want them to do – or of minds that are tired, or hearts that often carry grief.
  • Some of us are looking for relief—from anxiety, from fear about the future, from the sense that everything feels harder than it used to.
  • Some of us are looking for stability—financial security, a sense of safety, or reassurance that we’ll be okay.
  • Some of us are looking for connection—less loneliness, deeper friendships, a reminder that we matter to someone.
  • Some of us are looking for meaning—especially in seasons of transition, or major life events, or loss — wondering, “What is God calling me to now?”
  • And some of us, if we’re honest, don’t quite know what we’re looking for—we just know that something in us keeps reaching for God.

Jesus doesn’t scold the disciples for not having a clear answer. He doesn’t demand a statement of faith or a five-point plan. He simply says, “Come and see.”

Come and see where I am staying.
Come and see what life with God looks like up close.
Come and see what love looks like when it takes on flesh and walks alongside you.

And that invitation still stands.

Come and see what it means to live rooted in grace rather than fear.
Come and see a peace that doesn’t erase trouble, but carries you through it.
Come and see a God who meets you not when you have it all figured out, but precisely when you don’t.
Come and see a life shaped not by striving or perfection, but by mercy, forgiveness, and hope.

And notice what happens next in the story. The disciples don’t just stay with Jesus for themselves. Andrew goes and finds his brother Simon and says, “We have found the Messiah!”

Encounter leads to witness! Relationship leads to sharing! Not because they have all the answers—but because they’ve experienced something worth telling.

That’s Epiphany faith. Not flashy. Not loud. But steady. Light spreading from one person to another.

So today, hear Jesus’ question not as pressure, but as invitation:
What are you looking for?

And hear his response not as a demand, but as a beautiful promise:
Come and see.

Come and see that God is already at work in your life.
Come and see that you are not alone.
Come and see that grace has a way of meeting us exactly where we are—and gently leading us forward.

Thanks be to God.
Amen.

A Little Light for the Way

Bright ideas, simple reflections — a little light for every step of the way.

What do you do with a bunch of old sermons? Turn them into a blog – refined, condensed, made for today’s world – feel free to use as written, or as fodder for your own message. For you! No permission needed or credit given. (I mean, it’s not that great…) 😀

Sunday, January 11, 2026 – Baptism of Our Lord.

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have you ever had that moment when you’re in a group—maybe in a meeting, or a class, or even worship—and the person speaking seems to be looking right at you? At first, you think, They’re just making eye contact. Then it keeps happening. And suddenly you’re uncomfortable. Who, me?

And then—of course—while you’re busy wondering if you’re being singled out, the speaker asks a question, still looking in your direction, and you realize you have no idea what they were talking about because you were too busy wondering whether they were talking to you in the first place. Awkward!

I imagine John the Baptist having a moment like that today.

We are a couple of weeks past Christmas now, and the lectionary moves us quickly from manger to river. Jesus is grown—around thirty years old—and ready to begin his public ministry. And the way he begins is not with a sermon or a miracle, but by showing up at the Jordan River and asking his cousin John to baptize him.

John is not comfortable with this at all. You can almost hear him say, “Who, me? No, Jesus—you should be baptizing me.” John knows who Jesus is. He’s already told the crowds that the one coming after him is more powerful, more holy, more worthy. And now that very one is standing in front of him, asking to be baptized.

It doesn’t make sense to John. It feels backwards. Awkward.

And yet, Jesus insists. “This is necessary,” he says, “to fulfill all righteousness.” Not because Jesus needs to be made worthy—but because Jesus is choosing to stand fully with us. To step into the water of human life, vulnerability and all.

And when Jesus comes up out of the water, the heavens open. The Spirit descends like a dove. And a voice speaks:
“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Before Jesus heals anyone.
Before he teaches a parable.
Before he feeds the hungry or challenges the powerful.

God names him Beloved. Before he’s done a single thing in his ministry here on earth.

That matters.

Because our understanding of baptism is rooted right here. In baptism, by grace, we are drawn into this same declaration. We stand alongside Jesus, and the words spoken over him are spoken over us.

You are God’s beloved.
And God is pleased with you.

Sit with that for a moment.

So often, we hear—or imply—that God’s love comes with conditions. Yes, God loves you… now go prove it. Go serve more. Go believe harder. Go fix yourself.

But notice this: Jesus hadn’t done anything yet. He simply showed up. And that was enough.

In baptism, we are claimed before we accomplish anything at all.

“Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.”

Forever.

Nothing—nothing—can separate you from the love of God. Not failure. Not doubt. Not grief. Not death itself.

Rev. Vicki Flippin once wrote that baptism reminds us that no one determines our worth in this world or the next other than God. To the imprisoned, it says: you do not belong to your chains. To the addicted: you do not belong to what grips you. To the depressed: you do not belong to your sadness. To the exhausted and overworked: you do not belong to what demands everything from you.

You belong to God.

And even when it feels like you belong to fear, or shame, or loss—as sure as water is wet and God is good—a voice still speaks: You are my beloved.

Who, me?

Yes. You.

Walk in that love. Rest in that love. Bask in it.
Jesus loves you—and there is nothing you can do about it.

Amen.

For such a time…

“But then, I’m reminded not of the why – but of the Who — God.“

When do you feel God speaking to you the loudest?? I believe that God can come to us with a message anytime of the day or night, but I often feel/see/hear God’s voice the loudest very early in the morning. Often before I’ve even opened my eyes!  

And yes, God is speaking to us all! (Matthew 13:9 – “Whoever has ears, let them hear.”)

Sometimes it even wakes me up out of a good sleep. It’s what prompted me to start a Facebook page: “Together – with Pastor Jane” in order to read from the Bible every day. I awoke to a strong voice (I honestly don’t know if it was actually an audible voice, or something that just shook me awake on the inside!) But the message was clear, “Read the Bible – Read it out loud – For a year.”

My first thought was – “Uh… no way. That’s not possible and it would be so boring, and I NEVER stick to anything like that more than a week.”

And I dismissed it. (Or so I thought – seems that when it comes from God, it’s difficult to do…)

Long story short – I am reading through the Bible – out loud – every day on my Facebook page. It’s not professional, or perfect, and boy, do I struggle with those Bible names! I often wonder if anyone else is even looking at it, and I keep asking God, ”WHY??” But then, I’m reminded not of the why – but of the Who — God. Trust and obey. So, trust and obey, I will.

This morning I awoke with these words – “For such a time as this.” It’s from the Bible! Esther 4:14 – “…For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” (Emphasis mine)

God’s message to me was to tell people that we all need to draw as close as we can to the Word of God, to pay attention! If you’re reading this, it’s for that reason. Don’t put it off! FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. Get into a good Bible study, read God’s word, PRAY! Meditate on devotions that reflect God’s word, go to a Gospel-centered church that focuses on the life, ministry, death AND resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and our Savior. Grab a few friends and start discussing the Word.

YOU were made for a time such as this – God needs you. Rise up!