What I am not.

Last updated on: November 15, 2012 at 3:33 pm by michaboyett

What I am not. 2012-11-15T15:33:52-07:00 michaboyett

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

From Dale Bruner’s The Gospel of John: A Commentary, on John chapter 1, verse 2 (65 and 70)

“Now here is the witness of John when the Jewish people of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ Well, John spoke right up, he did not deny it, he spoke right up and said, ‘I am not the messiah.’ So they asked him, ‘Who then? Are you Elijah?’ And he said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you The Prophet? And he replied, ‘No.’”

John the Baptist knows and confesses who he is not: (a) I am not the Messiah; (b) I am not Elijah; and (c) I am not The Prophet … all of us who believe and read this text—are invited to assess and affirm our own “I am not’s” and “I am’s” so that with a more healthy and clearly defined understanding of our limits and gifts, we too can move out into the world in faithful vocation and witness.

Today, I affirm my I am not’s…

from Pinterest, via the always honest Tamara Murphy

I am not crafty. (If I’ve pinned a crafty project, it’s out of shame, not hope.)

I am not a natural blonde. (I was! Once! A long time ago!)

I am not graceful. (Lots of tripping/spilling of food and drink/hitting of funny bones, which leads to fainting.)

I am not naturally opinionated. (I work hard to form those.)

I am not that good at practicing contemplative prayer and/or parenting my children with patience and generosity. (Even though I may appear to do so on this here blog.)

I am not a theologian.

I am not quiet and I’m rarely gentle.

I am not a preacher.

I am not a person who bakes beautiful desserts from scratch.

I am not a natural encourager.

I am not musical, even though I so want to be.

I am not a runner, though I jog slowly and wheeze a few times a week.

What about you? What are you not? And what does that say about who you are?

PS I’ll be back tomorrow with a “What I am” list.

The Daily

hope

parenting

Previous Post

November 14, 2012

{This Sacred Everyday} Lore Furgeson

Next Post

November 16, 2012 What I am.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Deeper Church Beautiful Beautiful and Broken Books Broken Deeper Story Family and the Christian Year Family Life Found Friends Guest Post Invitation Motherhood My Chalkboard One Good Phrase Pinterest Place and Stability Poetry Practicing Benedict Thankful Tuesday The Daily The Mama Monk the Praying Life The Pursuit of Enough This Sacred Everyday Uncategorized Vlog Women and the Church World Vision

Select a Month March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Isaiah tell Hezekiah to use as a remedy for his illness?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A poultice of figs Olive oil Wine River water