When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’

John 1:47-48 NRSV

Jesus performed many miracles. Sometimes he seemed to miraculously know things about people that they assumed were hidden. The exchange above with Nathanael is one of those moments.

This past Sunday Reverend Charley Eastman shared part of the Colbert Questionert (sic) during his sermon. The message was about how we are known by God,. At the end of his survey, Stephen Colbert usually tells people, “You are known.”

Some of you asked to see the full survey

It is included below if you’d like to watch a few funny videos of Stephen Colbert administering this survey to others, you can do so here and here.

At the end of the service, Charley shared the final item of the questionnaire: “Describe the rest of your life in five words.” Some folks followed up after worship at fellowship time to share their 5 words. Others said they would need more time to figure it out. Have you been thinking about it? Are you thinking more about legacy or about impact? Are you projecting what you think already is true or are you thinking about what you aspire to? There are no wrong answers.

Here is the whole survey. Drag it out at your next gathering and interview each other. You may be surprised what you learn…

The Colbert Questionert

1. Best Sandwich?
2. What’s one thing you own that you should really throw out?
3. What is the scariest animal?
4. Apples or oranges?
5. Have you ever asked someone for their autograph?
6. What do you think happens when we die?
7. Favorite action movie?
8. Favorite smell?
9. Least favorite smell?
10. Exercise: worth it?
11. Flat or sparkling?
12. Most used app on your phone?
13. You get one song to listen to for the rest of your life: what is it?
14. What number am I thinking of?
15. Describe the rest of your life in five words.