Where is your safe place?
Where do you go to hide when you feel the need to hide?
To whom do you do to “lick your wounds” from life in the world?
Let’s think about these questions
as we meditate on the word of the Lord:
Psalm 71:1-6
In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
When we were young, we sought out the safe places, the bases from which we could move to explore our world. Even in our games, we would name a tree or a porch “home” or “base,” and as long as we were touching base, we were safe. Sometimes our cousins or siblings would get so mad that even these places weren’t safe anymore. So we would just happen to wander into Grandma’s kitchen and take a sudden interest in the making of pies. Nobody would mess with us there.
But as you get older, finding safe places becomes more difficult. Teenagers look at you like you’re a fool if you start talking about naming a locker as “home” and Grandma, if she is still alive, is no longer as amused with you hiding at her feet. “Time to grow up!” And so we try to act brave even on days when we don’t exactly feel safe.
Some of us learn the good church answer: “In you, O Lord, I take refuge!” It is a true answer; God is our shelter. As our faith matures, on most days our faith sustains us, our firm belief based on experience that God walks with us and protects us. Yet there are those other days. Days when the invisibility of God to earthly eyes make his omniscience, his omnipotence, and even his omnipresence invisible and intangible to our needy souls. Days when we call for rescue, but don’t immediately feel the strength of a divine response.
On those days we need to remember that God dwells among his people. Surely, if two or more of us are gathered together, God will be there. And God is. Yet there is a problem with this as well. Sometimes we find that our little safe place, our safe community, is not accessible to us. Perhaps they are busy; perhaps they are gone away on business. Maybe we are mad at them for some offense other than our current crisis; maybe they are angry with us. And sometimes, some of the worst times, we feel that they, our safe place, has become no longer safe.
What do we do? Hear the Psalmist:
Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress,
to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust,
O LORD, from my youth.
Even if our eyes cannot see the rock, it is a refuge. Even if our fingers cannot feel the walls of the fortress, God is that wall about us. Wickedness will come, and not maybe. It will inflict pain, and not perhaps. Yet God will rescue us because his love is steadfast, even when the love of others, and even our own, is not.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.
We find comfort as a child in the arms of our parents. As an adult, we find that comfort in the arms of our spouse, or of our children. Yet after the womb, there is no constant sense of physical protection about us. We are called upon to learn to rely upon God as our all-embracing strength. We are called to venture out from our bases, our fortresses, and embrace those who need our love and care. At the same time, I think that God surrounds his children with a community to love, to touch, and embrace them so that our divinely made bodies feel and give the physical comfort of Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.
Be there for each other,
Ron
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Only a child ...
As we read today’s scripture, we might tend to fix our minds on how these words apply to the lives of Jeremiah or Jesus. The obvious problem being that we are, none of us, Jeremiah or Jesus. Yet I believe that a similarly important calling belongs to each one of us, important enough to cause us to protest much in the same way that Jeremiah does. As you read this dialogue between Jeremiah and God, imagine that you stand alongside Jeremiah. How would you respond to God’s call? How would God answer you? What would God say was authorized for you in speaking and acting on behalf of the divine? Are we here to make war on evil? Are we here to make peace with victim and violator? Meditate upon the word of God:
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD!
Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a child."
But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child';
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you,
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,
says the LORD."
Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth;
and the LORD said to me,
"Now I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant."
How are we called to speak for God today?
Grace and peace,
Ron
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD!
Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a child."
But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child';
for you shall go to all to whom I send you,
and you shall speak whatever I command you,
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,
says the LORD."
Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth;
and the LORD said to me,
"Now I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant."
How are we called to speak for God today?
Grace and peace,
Ron
Friday, January 22, 2010
Not one, but many ...
What are our gifts?
What are the things that we do for God that give us strength?
What is it that we do in community for which the community relies upon us?
Think on these questions as you meditate on the word of the Lord:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.
If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
But strive for the greater gifts.
Blessings,
Ron
What are the things that we do for God that give us strength?
What is it that we do in community for which the community relies upon us?
Think on these questions as you meditate on the word of the Lord:
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.
If the foot would say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear would say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.
If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
But strive for the greater gifts.
Blessings,
Ron
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Heavens are telling ...
Let us meditate today on this psalm of praise and petition:
Psalm 19
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
There is a beauty and a consistency in how God
Provides for us, acts toward us, speaks to us.
Let us celebrate that today.
Blessings,
Ron
Psalm 19
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
There is a beauty and a consistency in how God
Provides for us, acts toward us, speaks to us.
Let us celebrate that today.
Blessings,
Ron
Monday, January 18, 2010
The joy of the Lord ...
These are busy days. Days filled with so much to do, so many people to see, so many things to decide. Sometimes we can become so immersed in small, but important, things that we lose track of the big picture. Our concern about getting things done becomes doubt, and if neglected long enough doubt can cause us to lose hope.
How do we find hope? How do we strengthen it? I have a wise friend who believes that prayer and hope are consistently linked in scripture. I believe that he is right. But I believe that God has other ways to help us find and strengthen this most important virtue in our lives.
One of the ways in which God builds hope is meditation on scripture. Now, I want to make clear that merely reading the text as so many words won’t do this. We need to be silent, and welcome the word of God in the midst of silence, and dwell with it for a while. If we lift up our hearts and hands to receive the word, it will not leave us unchanged. In the text, we may find conviction or affirmation, but we will also find God. If we will do this, then we will find enough hope for the moment and perhaps even a little joy. We will find ourselves sent out into our world by the word of God to join in the mission of God.
Consider the case of Nehemiah and the people:
When the seventh month came — the people of Israel being settled in their towns — all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month.
He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the law, while the people remained in their places. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Nehemiah 7:73-8:12 – NRSV
May you find hope and joy in your day.
Blessings,
Ron
How do we find hope? How do we strengthen it? I have a wise friend who believes that prayer and hope are consistently linked in scripture. I believe that he is right. But I believe that God has other ways to help us find and strengthen this most important virtue in our lives.
One of the ways in which God builds hope is meditation on scripture. Now, I want to make clear that merely reading the text as so many words won’t do this. We need to be silent, and welcome the word of God in the midst of silence, and dwell with it for a while. If we lift up our hearts and hands to receive the word, it will not leave us unchanged. In the text, we may find conviction or affirmation, but we will also find God. If we will do this, then we will find enough hope for the moment and perhaps even a little joy. We will find ourselves sent out into our world by the word of God to join in the mission of God.
Consider the case of Nehemiah and the people:
When the seventh month came — the people of Israel being settled in their towns — all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month.
He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the law, while the people remained in their places. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Nehemiah 7:73-8:12 – NRSV
May you find hope and joy in your day.
Blessings,
Ron
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Continue your steadfast love ...
Today, let us lift up a psalm of praise to our God.
As we read it, let us meditate on its recurring theme: the hesed, the steadfast love, of the Lord.
Psalm 36:5-10
Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O LORD.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
How far has the steadfast love of the Lord stretched in your life? How deep is the love of God in your experience? What great blessing has this love brought that you celebrate, even today? How will the steadfast love of God go with you into your future?
Grace and peace,
Ron
As we read it, let us meditate on its recurring theme: the hesed, the steadfast love, of the Lord.
Psalm 36:5-10
Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O LORD.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your salvation to the upright of heart!
How far has the steadfast love of the Lord stretched in your life? How deep is the love of God in your experience? What great blessing has this love brought that you celebrate, even today? How will the steadfast love of God go with you into your future?
Grace and peace,
Ron
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
My delight is in her ...
In how many stories does the resolution, the end, involve a wedding? In Shakespeare, weddings are prominent at the end of his comedies (they tend to happen much earlier in his tragedies). For those of you who are Disney fans, this story ending element should be obvious: Cinderella, Snow White, and The Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few.
The wedding is the ultimate sign of peace. Two individuals join in a covenant of peace and love. Two families are aligned with one another. Each of these families receives an outsider, who through the peace-making practice of hospitality, is brought into belonging within that family. The focus of this joyous event is the beloved bride:
Isaiah 62:1-5
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
Of all of the metaphors that God could have picked to describe his coming together with the people of God, this is the one. The marriage depicts the high importance of the event. The wedding exemplifies the deepness of love that brings about the event. The vision of the lovely bride gives us a picture of the beauty and joy of the event in the very eyes of God.
Perhaps it is so obvious that we sometimes forget a central fact about this beautiful bride: she is not an individual person, but the community of people who passionately love God. I can’t pretend that I know how to visualize this reality, but it is nonetheless true. God makes peace with a people.
There is one other truth about this wedding that I carry with me. I don’t know how many sermons I have heard that have portrayed the day that Jesus will return as a day of terror; a day of fear, of terror, of screaming, and of weeping. For some, the ultimate discovery that there really is a God is bound to be that world-shattering.
But for people of faith, the last day is the day that the bridegroom comes. His love, promise-keeping, and glory will be revealed, and surely the bride will be found to have been made worthy to stand alongside him. While any wedding day has its stresses, it will be a glorious day for the people of God. Of course, after the wedding, there is the celebration, the wedding feast, where the work of the bride and groom and their families in pulling off this great day is appreciated.
You’ve been invited, as have I, to be a part of this great day. We have made our choices. Now it is up to us to help others understand that this is a day that none of us will want to miss.
How are we preparing to enjoy that day today?
Blessings,
Ron
The wedding is the ultimate sign of peace. Two individuals join in a covenant of peace and love. Two families are aligned with one another. Each of these families receives an outsider, who through the peace-making practice of hospitality, is brought into belonging within that family. The focus of this joyous event is the beloved bride:
Isaiah 62:1-5
For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
until her vindication shines out like the dawn,
and her salvation like a burning torch.
The nations shall see your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate;
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your builder marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
Of all of the metaphors that God could have picked to describe his coming together with the people of God, this is the one. The marriage depicts the high importance of the event. The wedding exemplifies the deepness of love that brings about the event. The vision of the lovely bride gives us a picture of the beauty and joy of the event in the very eyes of God.
Perhaps it is so obvious that we sometimes forget a central fact about this beautiful bride: she is not an individual person, but the community of people who passionately love God. I can’t pretend that I know how to visualize this reality, but it is nonetheless true. God makes peace with a people.
There is one other truth about this wedding that I carry with me. I don’t know how many sermons I have heard that have portrayed the day that Jesus will return as a day of terror; a day of fear, of terror, of screaming, and of weeping. For some, the ultimate discovery that there really is a God is bound to be that world-shattering.
But for people of faith, the last day is the day that the bridegroom comes. His love, promise-keeping, and glory will be revealed, and surely the bride will be found to have been made worthy to stand alongside him. While any wedding day has its stresses, it will be a glorious day for the people of God. Of course, after the wedding, there is the celebration, the wedding feast, where the work of the bride and groom and their families in pulling off this great day is appreciated.
You’ve been invited, as have I, to be a part of this great day. We have made our choices. Now it is up to us to help others understand that this is a day that none of us will want to miss.
How are we preparing to enjoy that day today?
Blessings,
Ron
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
He might be ...
People were looking for a Messiah. They had been looking for quite some time. There had been quite a few people, as a matter of fact, who had volunteered to the remnant of Israel the idea that they were this Messiah. Those claims were proven false, one by one, by the failure of the imposters to meet the prophetic tests, to exhibit the prophetic power, and to lead the people of God in the way that this king was expected to lead.
Which is what made John so interesting. He acted like the one. He sounded like the One. Yet, unlike the others, he categorically denied that he was the one.
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."
When the One came, he did not have to identify himself. He did not depend upon the people to immediately recognize him. The identity of the One was revealed by the One who was best situated to know.
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
How this One experienced time before his birth is unlike anything any other human has experienced. Yet from the time of his birth, he has been willing to experience everything that we experience. He set aside royal privilege: no birth in a palace; no growing up with a royal entourage of nurses, tutors, trainers, and counselors; no robe, ring, nor crown, or other signs of wealth, power, and advantage. In humility he does everything he asks us to do. He even undergoes baptism, not because he has any need for that which it accomplishes, but so we can identify with him and he with us.
This humble servant is the One that the Father and the Spirit identify as the Son.
Today, how can we identify our lives and our ministry with the life of Jesus? What actions of his will we imitate? What thing can we do that reveals to others that we work alongside a living and active God?
Grace and peace,
Ron
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Which is what made John so interesting. He acted like the one. He sounded like the One. Yet, unlike the others, he categorically denied that he was the one.
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."
When the One came, he did not have to identify himself. He did not depend upon the people to immediately recognize him. The identity of the One was revealed by the One who was best situated to know.
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
How this One experienced time before his birth is unlike anything any other human has experienced. Yet from the time of his birth, he has been willing to experience everything that we experience. He set aside royal privilege: no birth in a palace; no growing up with a royal entourage of nurses, tutors, trainers, and counselors; no robe, ring, nor crown, or other signs of wealth, power, and advantage. In humility he does everything he asks us to do. He even undergoes baptism, not because he has any need for that which it accomplishes, but so we can identify with him and he with us.
This humble servant is the One that the Father and the Spirit identify as the Son.
Today, how can we identify our lives and our ministry with the life of Jesus? What actions of his will we imitate? What thing can we do that reveals to others that we work alongside a living and active God?
Grace and peace,
Ron
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Monday, January 11, 2010
The voice of the Lord ...
Sometimes we use words without realizing their power.
Sometimes we doubt the power of the words in our prayers.
Sometimes we minimize the power of the words others use,
only to writhe under their influence all day long.
Yet nothing that we humans say is unnoticed by God -
no word falls into a complete vacuum.
It is especially important to remember:
none of God’s words fall to the ground fruitless.
Hear the word of the Lord:
Psalm 29
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name;
worship the LORD in holy splendor.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD,
over mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!
May God help us to be aware of his power today.
May God help us to be aware of the power
of our words today.
Blessings,
Ron
Sometimes we doubt the power of the words in our prayers.
Sometimes we minimize the power of the words others use,
only to writhe under their influence all day long.
Yet nothing that we humans say is unnoticed by God -
no word falls into a complete vacuum.
It is especially important to remember:
none of God’s words fall to the ground fruitless.
Hear the word of the Lord:
Psalm 29
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name;
worship the LORD in holy splendor.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders, the LORD,
over mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl,
and strips the forest bare;
and in his temple all say, "Glory!"
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people!
May the LORD bless his people with peace!
May God help us to be aware of his power today.
May God help us to be aware of the power
of our words today.
Blessings,
Ron
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The hospitality of children ...
Today, consider this scripture and response:
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Many of you will recognize in this text the three moves of hospitality: entering in, staying, and sending forth. These important people enter this humble place, find welcome. In response, they give the young king welcome into their world. They kneel so as to stay in his presence, if only for a while. Overwhelmed with the richness of relationship with royalty, they offer in return token gifts of the richest resources they could imagine. Finally, though this infant monarch has yet to speak, his messengers send these wise men forth with a gift of news that keeps them safe on their journey home. In return, the wise men respect the vulnerability of the child by keeping their silence until his parents can remove him to a place of safety.
The coming of God into our midst is an amazing act of hospitality. If we seek to imitate this hospitable God, we must be willing both to receive, as well as give, hospitality. If we wish to heed the words and the life of Jesus, then we must be willing to let even little children act as our hosts. After all, who would you rather have as your host: King Herod, living out his older years in great opulence; or the baby Jesus, living within the most humble of means?
Accepting the hospitality of children may force us to change the way that we see the world. Such hospitality may, on occasion, require us to drink imaginary tea out of impossibly small cups; it may necessitate being very still while little hands which have yet to acquire skill paint our toenails. Yet if we but humble ourselves, who knows what blessings will be ours?
Blessings,
Ron
Matthew 2:1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Many of you will recognize in this text the three moves of hospitality: entering in, staying, and sending forth. These important people enter this humble place, find welcome. In response, they give the young king welcome into their world. They kneel so as to stay in his presence, if only for a while. Overwhelmed with the richness of relationship with royalty, they offer in return token gifts of the richest resources they could imagine. Finally, though this infant monarch has yet to speak, his messengers send these wise men forth with a gift of news that keeps them safe on their journey home. In return, the wise men respect the vulnerability of the child by keeping their silence until his parents can remove him to a place of safety.
The coming of God into our midst is an amazing act of hospitality. If we seek to imitate this hospitable God, we must be willing both to receive, as well as give, hospitality. If we wish to heed the words and the life of Jesus, then we must be willing to let even little children act as our hosts. After all, who would you rather have as your host: King Herod, living out his older years in great opulence; or the baby Jesus, living within the most humble of means?
Accepting the hospitality of children may force us to change the way that we see the world. Such hospitality may, on occasion, require us to drink imaginary tea out of impossibly small cups; it may necessitate being very still while little hands which have yet to acquire skill paint our toenails. Yet if we but humble ourselves, who knows what blessings will be ours?
Blessings,
Ron
Friday, January 8, 2010
A graceful commission ...
In today’s text, Paul describes the calling of God in his life, the way that God is acting toward the great purposes of God through one human life. Although we may not feel as significant as Paul, although we may feel that we are “the very least of all the saints,” we are as important to a loving God. As you read this text, think about the calling of God in your life. After you have read it through, go back and recompose these words to describe God’s calling for your own life. Our calling is unlikely to be as dramatic as that of Paul, but nonetheless, we can be sure that God calls us.
Ephesians 3:1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles -- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.
Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
How do you describe your calling?
Grace and peace,
Ron
Ephesians 3:1-12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles -- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.
Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
How do you describe your calling?
Grace and peace,
Ron
Thursday, January 7, 2010
They are planted ...
Today, a story with a moral – a story to go with Josh’s story.
Growing up in Duncan, my family and I lived in a house with two large paned windows, stretching from nearly floor to nearly ceiling, in both the front and back of the house. The front window had heavy draperies to help keep out the heat from the westerly sun in the summer. Mom liked to keep the back window open because she liked the view.
Dad, though, had eyes that were sensitive to light and wanted a little relief from the glaring sunlight. Being a thinking man, and not one given to debate, one spring day he drove to Ligon’s Nursery and chose a tree to plant in front of the window. He came home with a seedling (he was too frugal to buy a larger specimen), carefully dug a hole, and planted his little tree. About 25 feet out, in the precise center line of the window, the little tree stood in this vast expanse of grass.
Now, Dad was not given to expend too much effort or expense in landscaping; someone might think of watering the tree occasionally, but no one made a habit of it. Taking care of the yard not Dad’s job; it was the job of my younger brother Bill, and myself. We would take turns mowing. As teenagers, neither one of us was particularly fond of the job as the yard was large, sloped, and terraced. More than once Dad and Bill got into it about the yard, and when they did, Bill would do exactly what he was told: mow the whole yard. In Bill’s mind, this included the tree. Nothing higher than 2 inches was left standing. There are times when one must use precise language, and there are times when one must exercise common sense. Both parties failed.
Yet when Bill entered high school, the tree began to make progress. In those winters, though, that part of the yard looked like a snowman had lost one of his arms while somehow escaping with the other (a fugitive snowman may find this information helpful).
One spring I was laying on my bed reading when I noticed that the light coming in through the window had turned a very particular shade of green. In the same moment, I heard the swelling sound of an approaching freight train. Having grown up in Duncan, Oklahoma, two facts came to mind: (1) there is no 4:00 train that runs through Duncan; and (2) tornados often sound like trains. By the time that I got to the center of the house (moving in the general direction of the bomb shelter – which is another story altogether), I looked out the back window and saw that the entire back fence was missing. So was every leaf on Dad’s tree.
After that, college and married life took me away from Duncan and the tree much of the time. Return visits were designed to catch up with family, not to keep track of Dad’s landscaping efforts. When Ann and I went home to visit one weekend though, I looked out the rear window and was startled. There was green light filtering in through the window. The green was close to, but not exactly the same shade of green that the tornado had brought. This gentle green light was filtering through the branches of a sturdy, mature walnut tree standing outside the window. I had to see. I went outside to get a better look. There, perfectly centered on the rear window of the house was this perfectly symmetrical walnut tree. Its dark green canopy was like a huge, but perfect, umbrella shading the back window of the house. The trunk was scarred but sturdy, something like the mast of a ship. Underneath the tree was a flat roof of limbs about seven feet off the ground, just enough for Dad (6’5”) to walk beneath the tree in comfort. It was one of the most handsome trees I have ever seen.
How many lessons can this tale teach us?
It seems obvious to observe that God is patient, and given enough time, he will bring about his purpose, despite the neglect of the responsible, the sabotage of an adversary, or the interference of nature itself (why do we call those acts of God?). A corollary to this observation is to note that, if we imitate God as we ought, similar patience on our part may bring similar success to our plans. Eventually, success. When we think about how long we must be patient, I think it is important to ask: If we find a tree to be beautiful and complex, just how beautiful and complex are human beings? How long does it take to change us?
A less obvious observation is to note the resilience of life. Despite neglect, sabotage, and storm, this tree sought to become what God intended for it to become. No matter what. This was not some victim tree, puking excuses to the world for its slowness, deficiencies, and failure. This was not a sarcastic tree, spewing bitterness at every good, or different, or taller tree so as to justify its miserable history and failed purpose. This was a victorious tree, scarred by its experience, but all the more beautiful for the story that it had to tell. With trees and people, after all, the beauty of the story is not in the first, second, or third act; the truth and the power is in how the tale ends.
The righteous flourish like the palm tree,
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
In old age they still produce fruit;
they are always green and full of sap,
showing that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Psalm 92:12-15 – NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
Growing up in Duncan, my family and I lived in a house with two large paned windows, stretching from nearly floor to nearly ceiling, in both the front and back of the house. The front window had heavy draperies to help keep out the heat from the westerly sun in the summer. Mom liked to keep the back window open because she liked the view.
Dad, though, had eyes that were sensitive to light and wanted a little relief from the glaring sunlight. Being a thinking man, and not one given to debate, one spring day he drove to Ligon’s Nursery and chose a tree to plant in front of the window. He came home with a seedling (he was too frugal to buy a larger specimen), carefully dug a hole, and planted his little tree. About 25 feet out, in the precise center line of the window, the little tree stood in this vast expanse of grass.
Now, Dad was not given to expend too much effort or expense in landscaping; someone might think of watering the tree occasionally, but no one made a habit of it. Taking care of the yard not Dad’s job; it was the job of my younger brother Bill, and myself. We would take turns mowing. As teenagers, neither one of us was particularly fond of the job as the yard was large, sloped, and terraced. More than once Dad and Bill got into it about the yard, and when they did, Bill would do exactly what he was told: mow the whole yard. In Bill’s mind, this included the tree. Nothing higher than 2 inches was left standing. There are times when one must use precise language, and there are times when one must exercise common sense. Both parties failed.
Yet when Bill entered high school, the tree began to make progress. In those winters, though, that part of the yard looked like a snowman had lost one of his arms while somehow escaping with the other (a fugitive snowman may find this information helpful).
One spring I was laying on my bed reading when I noticed that the light coming in through the window had turned a very particular shade of green. In the same moment, I heard the swelling sound of an approaching freight train. Having grown up in Duncan, Oklahoma, two facts came to mind: (1) there is no 4:00 train that runs through Duncan; and (2) tornados often sound like trains. By the time that I got to the center of the house (moving in the general direction of the bomb shelter – which is another story altogether), I looked out the back window and saw that the entire back fence was missing. So was every leaf on Dad’s tree.
After that, college and married life took me away from Duncan and the tree much of the time. Return visits were designed to catch up with family, not to keep track of Dad’s landscaping efforts. When Ann and I went home to visit one weekend though, I looked out the rear window and was startled. There was green light filtering in through the window. The green was close to, but not exactly the same shade of green that the tornado had brought. This gentle green light was filtering through the branches of a sturdy, mature walnut tree standing outside the window. I had to see. I went outside to get a better look. There, perfectly centered on the rear window of the house was this perfectly symmetrical walnut tree. Its dark green canopy was like a huge, but perfect, umbrella shading the back window of the house. The trunk was scarred but sturdy, something like the mast of a ship. Underneath the tree was a flat roof of limbs about seven feet off the ground, just enough for Dad (6’5”) to walk beneath the tree in comfort. It was one of the most handsome trees I have ever seen.
How many lessons can this tale teach us?
It seems obvious to observe that God is patient, and given enough time, he will bring about his purpose, despite the neglect of the responsible, the sabotage of an adversary, or the interference of nature itself (why do we call those acts of God?). A corollary to this observation is to note that, if we imitate God as we ought, similar patience on our part may bring similar success to our plans. Eventually, success. When we think about how long we must be patient, I think it is important to ask: If we find a tree to be beautiful and complex, just how beautiful and complex are human beings? How long does it take to change us?
A less obvious observation is to note the resilience of life. Despite neglect, sabotage, and storm, this tree sought to become what God intended for it to become. No matter what. This was not some victim tree, puking excuses to the world for its slowness, deficiencies, and failure. This was not a sarcastic tree, spewing bitterness at every good, or different, or taller tree so as to justify its miserable history and failed purpose. This was a victorious tree, scarred by its experience, but all the more beautiful for the story that it had to tell. With trees and people, after all, the beauty of the story is not in the first, second, or third act; the truth and the power is in how the tale ends.
The righteous flourish like the palm tree,
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
In old age they still produce fruit;
they are always green and full of sap,
showing that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Psalm 92:12-15 – NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Like rain that falls ...
The King, the King of kings, is called to bring justice, to make this world right.
If we are to be like our king, what kind of people ought we to be?
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king's son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon,
throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound,
until the moon is no more.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Grace and peace,
Ron
If we are to be like our king, what kind of people ought we to be?
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king's son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon,
throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound,
until the moon is no more.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Grace and peace,
Ron
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Arise, shine ...
Meditate with me on the word of the Lord:
Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
To whom does Isaiah speak these imperatives? To the king of Israel? To the coming King of kings? No, Isaiah speaks these words to the people of God, to the Israel that will be when the King of kings has come. In those days, spiritual darkness will cover the face of the known cosmos like physical darkness did at the very beginning of time. In that day, the Lord will speak, “Arise, shine,” to the people of God, and the glory of God within them will begin to illumine the world.
The move of God that started as a solitary star in the dark night of the heavens is now working on this planet among us. Sometimes when we speak of our service as the light of the world, we talk as if we reflect the light of God from a distance. We speak as if we were the moon reflecting the light of the sun onto the dark side of the earth. Even in our children’s songs, we speak of our little light as if it were something separate from us – something we might wave or hide. For Isaiah, though, the light of the people of God is not reflected. The people of God shine. They illumine the world from within themselves because the glory of God lives within them, among them. They shine as a community, much more so than as individuals.
Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.
At first the light will shine from within a chosen people. Then the light will arise among a people newly chosen to expand the borders of the people of God. The attracting light, though, is intended to draw in all people, women and men, near and far. This new people of God must do that which the original people of God were intended to do: serve as the light drawing the entire world into a relationship with God.
The light makes direction and movement possible. Where do you go in the dark? Is it better to move in the pitch black, or to stand still? Our experience tells us to look for the light, to move toward the light, to function in the light, where there is safety and where we can see what we are doing. Where we can see what everyone else is doing. Moths are not alone in their attraction to light, after all.
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
In the light, there is more than blind faith – there is sighted experience. Within this community of light, we experience both relationship with God and providence from God. We become a part of a people for whom God provides, even from the very corners of the earth. I think God does this because God intends for us to be a people who exist at every corner of the earth. The wise men have brought their gifts to the king of this people. In reciprocal hospitality, this people go out to receive the hospitality of the far places of the earth while carrying the gift that God gives in return: peace, the restoration of relationship with the Creator of light in person.
May you rise and shine in your corner of the world today.
Ron
Isaiah 60:1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.
To whom does Isaiah speak these imperatives? To the king of Israel? To the coming King of kings? No, Isaiah speaks these words to the people of God, to the Israel that will be when the King of kings has come. In those days, spiritual darkness will cover the face of the known cosmos like physical darkness did at the very beginning of time. In that day, the Lord will speak, “Arise, shine,” to the people of God, and the glory of God within them will begin to illumine the world.
The move of God that started as a solitary star in the dark night of the heavens is now working on this planet among us. Sometimes when we speak of our service as the light of the world, we talk as if we reflect the light of God from a distance. We speak as if we were the moon reflecting the light of the sun onto the dark side of the earth. Even in our children’s songs, we speak of our little light as if it were something separate from us – something we might wave or hide. For Isaiah, though, the light of the people of God is not reflected. The people of God shine. They illumine the world from within themselves because the glory of God lives within them, among them. They shine as a community, much more so than as individuals.
Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.
At first the light will shine from within a chosen people. Then the light will arise among a people newly chosen to expand the borders of the people of God. The attracting light, though, is intended to draw in all people, women and men, near and far. This new people of God must do that which the original people of God were intended to do: serve as the light drawing the entire world into a relationship with God.
The light makes direction and movement possible. Where do you go in the dark? Is it better to move in the pitch black, or to stand still? Our experience tells us to look for the light, to move toward the light, to function in the light, where there is safety and where we can see what we are doing. Where we can see what everyone else is doing. Moths are not alone in their attraction to light, after all.
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
In the light, there is more than blind faith – there is sighted experience. Within this community of light, we experience both relationship with God and providence from God. We become a part of a people for whom God provides, even from the very corners of the earth. I think God does this because God intends for us to be a people who exist at every corner of the earth. The wise men have brought their gifts to the king of this people. In reciprocal hospitality, this people go out to receive the hospitality of the far places of the earth while carrying the gift that God gives in return: peace, the restoration of relationship with the Creator of light in person.
May you rise and shine in your corner of the world today.
Ron
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