As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ (Luke 3:15-17)

Am I wheat or am I chaff?

I am both. I am still growing. The grain is not yet ripe.

The chaff - or hull - still serves to protect my seed, my emerging self.

When ripe a winnowing-fork will easily separate seed from chaff.

Most chaff is so thin and light it will waft away on the wind, what is left will be swept up and discarded.

What is needed today will be easily discarded at the right time.