Sometimes, you are just too big for us God.
We study in hopes of understanding you,
Discuss in hopes of explaining you,
Pray in hopes of discerning you
Seek in hopes of finding you,
And just as we begin to feel we have our minds wrapped around
the complexities of you,
We find ourselves once again lost in the mystery.
Sometimes, you are just too big for us God.
We long for a sense of belonging.
And so we seek out people with whom we can agree.
We hunger for being right,
And so we dig deeper, the chasm that separates us
from those who are wrong.
We yearn for security in a world torn to shreds in disagreement
And so we build stone walls and picketed fences
on our lands and in our hearts.
and so we confess that sometimes reconciliation looks better
on a bulletin insert than it does
in the living out of its reality.
Sometimes, you are just too big for us God.
And the reality is, we need you to be just that.
What we desire most, Oh God, is to be who it is you call us to be –
A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.
And we need a God big enough to keep luring us into that reality.
Weave us together, oh God.
Stir our spirits to reach out across the chasms of disagreement
that divides our world
Inspire our hearts to see every human as your beloved child
And renew our minds with the mysterious wonderment of who you are…
Sometimes you are just too big for us God, and for that we give thanks!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Making Room for Vulnerability
Galatians 1:11-24
People can change. Really, they can. I seem to forget that sometimes. I’m so caught up in the here and now of life – the struggles and stress of dealing with people and their quirks; the rush to get “stuff” done; and, mostly, the monotony of the everyday – that I skim right over the opportunities for growth and change, for myself and others. Change comes through intimate encounters. When our vulnerabilities are exposed and acknowledged, and/or compassionately confronted, change can happen. However these moments take time – they take awareness – they take a willing openness – and they take courage…
You know those moments that I am talking about… those brief encounters… those couple extra words which made an ordinarily phrased response to, “How are ya doing?” mean so much more than what was at the surface; or the young person who steps into my office, and just plops down in a chair – its less than an hour before youth starts, and there is still planning that needs to be done – do I get up from my computer and take a moment to be present and available or do I halfheartedly listen, my head buried in the unfinished worksheet on the computer? or, when a friend sets me down so that we can talk, because they need me to know that what I said hurt their feelings…
Those brief encounters when… a butterfly is busy, “being a butterfly,” fluttering from flower to flower, and yet its present, delicate, beauty conveys to you so much more… an amber hazed sunset, dazzled with hues of pinks, purples, and blues, calls to the depths of your soul, and stuns the heart with wonder… an new idea or concept shatters your world view, replacing it with a lens more closely focused to the heart of God…
We all can testify about these encounters in our own lives, both moments we expected and those that caught us by surprise. The question for us today, however is this… “How much room are we making in the monotony of our lives to experience an encounter with the transformative power of vulnerability?”
People can change. Really, they can. I seem to forget that sometimes. I’m so caught up in the here and now of life – the struggles and stress of dealing with people and their quirks; the rush to get “stuff” done; and, mostly, the monotony of the everyday – that I skim right over the opportunities for growth and change, for myself and others. Change comes through intimate encounters. When our vulnerabilities are exposed and acknowledged, and/or compassionately confronted, change can happen. However these moments take time – they take awareness – they take a willing openness – and they take courage…
You know those moments that I am talking about… those brief encounters… those couple extra words which made an ordinarily phrased response to, “How are ya doing?” mean so much more than what was at the surface; or the young person who steps into my office, and just plops down in a chair – its less than an hour before youth starts, and there is still planning that needs to be done – do I get up from my computer and take a moment to be present and available or do I halfheartedly listen, my head buried in the unfinished worksheet on the computer? or, when a friend sets me down so that we can talk, because they need me to know that what I said hurt their feelings…
Those brief encounters when… a butterfly is busy, “being a butterfly,” fluttering from flower to flower, and yet its present, delicate, beauty conveys to you so much more… an amber hazed sunset, dazzled with hues of pinks, purples, and blues, calls to the depths of your soul, and stuns the heart with wonder… an new idea or concept shatters your world view, replacing it with a lens more closely focused to the heart of God…
We all can testify about these encounters in our own lives, both moments we expected and those that caught us by surprise. The question for us today, however is this… “How much room are we making in the monotony of our lives to experience an encounter with the transformative power of vulnerability?”
Monday, September 28, 2009
Feeling Full in a Half Empty World
Galatians 1:1-10
Wow… what a crazy two weeks it has been. Two weekends ago was FallFest, and at the last minute I was needed to go as our sponsor. That was fine until I was also needed to be a small group leader, which left me no time to work on homework over the weekend. The following weekend was my birthday weekend, and as things played out, most of my weekend was booked. On Sunday, the pumpkins arrived, which tied up most of the afternoon, and then, that evening, was board meeting. So needless to say, I have found myself slacking on my commitment to myself and my journal. Oh well, such is life… sometimes we need to give ourselves some grace and then step back into the routine of life once all settles.
I preached my first sermon in class last week. It was nerve racking… never in my life have I thought about the words I use so much, and what I learned is that even the time I spent was not enough. I got a B+ on the sermon… that was hard for me. I do not want to be a B+ preacher. I know this is one of my gifts and I know what a good sermon looks and feels like. Now I have just got to get it done. It was rather heart breaking on Wednesday to hear I got a B+, mainly, because I was disappointed in myself. I knew the sermon had rough edges. And I knew that on some level I was not completely connecting with the message I was trying to convey. I just could not put my finger on what I was working towards. What I found through my discussion with Nancy, was that I was actually working to point towards the joy found when one finds a place where they belong – the Joy ignited in acceptance and respect. It was a beautiful sermon… it just needed some more time spent working through the content.
Paul’s words today were refreshing and prophetic. How quickly do you desert… We are so quick to let go of our commitments. I find this to be one of my bigger struggles. Life pulls me in many different directions. How does a preacher stay committed to the disciple of sermon prep when life happens all around… pulling us in innumerous directions? There is so much of life that can distract us from our commitments. I have got to put priority to what is important to me.
Paul also speaks to his motivation for doing his work? Is it for the approval of God or people? What an important question. Yesterday, I just found myself feeling really inadequate. I was scared to death of the looming constructive theology paper. My sermon was a B+. I met with Connie and was met with all kinds of questions about my qualifications. It was overwhelming. Will I ever be good enough??? Needless to say, this is one of my core issues – feeling inadequate. When I start looking outside myself for approval, I quickly find myself traveling down the dark road of inadequacy. That is not the journey of light and life to which Christ leads us to, and it is not the road that allows my life to be whole and fulfilling. Let me be better to myself. May I return to the commitment of self care that inspired me to begin this journal… may I find contentment within…
Wow… what a crazy two weeks it has been. Two weekends ago was FallFest, and at the last minute I was needed to go as our sponsor. That was fine until I was also needed to be a small group leader, which left me no time to work on homework over the weekend. The following weekend was my birthday weekend, and as things played out, most of my weekend was booked. On Sunday, the pumpkins arrived, which tied up most of the afternoon, and then, that evening, was board meeting. So needless to say, I have found myself slacking on my commitment to myself and my journal. Oh well, such is life… sometimes we need to give ourselves some grace and then step back into the routine of life once all settles.
I preached my first sermon in class last week. It was nerve racking… never in my life have I thought about the words I use so much, and what I learned is that even the time I spent was not enough. I got a B+ on the sermon… that was hard for me. I do not want to be a B+ preacher. I know this is one of my gifts and I know what a good sermon looks and feels like. Now I have just got to get it done. It was rather heart breaking on Wednesday to hear I got a B+, mainly, because I was disappointed in myself. I knew the sermon had rough edges. And I knew that on some level I was not completely connecting with the message I was trying to convey. I just could not put my finger on what I was working towards. What I found through my discussion with Nancy, was that I was actually working to point towards the joy found when one finds a place where they belong – the Joy ignited in acceptance and respect. It was a beautiful sermon… it just needed some more time spent working through the content.
Paul’s words today were refreshing and prophetic. How quickly do you desert… We are so quick to let go of our commitments. I find this to be one of my bigger struggles. Life pulls me in many different directions. How does a preacher stay committed to the disciple of sermon prep when life happens all around… pulling us in innumerous directions? There is so much of life that can distract us from our commitments. I have got to put priority to what is important to me.
Paul also speaks to his motivation for doing his work? Is it for the approval of God or people? What an important question. Yesterday, I just found myself feeling really inadequate. I was scared to death of the looming constructive theology paper. My sermon was a B+. I met with Connie and was met with all kinds of questions about my qualifications. It was overwhelming. Will I ever be good enough??? Needless to say, this is one of my core issues – feeling inadequate. When I start looking outside myself for approval, I quickly find myself traveling down the dark road of inadequacy. That is not the journey of light and life to which Christ leads us to, and it is not the road that allows my life to be whole and fulfilling. Let me be better to myself. May I return to the commitment of self care that inspired me to begin this journal… may I find contentment within…
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Humility Draws Us to a Deeper Love
Romans 12: 9-21
“Bless those who persecute you.” Oh, Paul, but do I have to? REALLY?!? When I am forced to think about where my journey is most distant from the way of Jesus, Paul’s declaration here gets at the heart of my lacking. I do not want to bless those who persecute me. I lived in that world long enough, and I have heard the lies and evil that is spoken from those who would persecute me. There was a great deal of pain and confusion that were created in my life as a result. So at this point in my life, I do not want to make them feel good or feed them or offer hospitality to them. In fact, I find great fulfillment through the active admonishment of them.
Yes, this is an honest confession.
Here today, however, I am finding myself once again convicted of perpetuating the cycle of hate. There is nothing less Christ-like than exchanging hate for hate and nothing life giving that comes from it. In fact, if I was completely honest with myself, I would have to admit that letting myself get stuck in the bitterness, anger and resentment I generate in response to this persecution only leaves me feeling more empty and helpless.
So, the questions that now bubble to the surface are, “How do I create change in this area of my life? How can I stop the cycle?” Well, I think Paul’s letter gives me some good clues. Earlier in his letter Paul reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God found in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” And then he also says, “God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that [s]he may be merciful to all.”
Humility in the present moment, Geoff. Humility. “Let love be genuine; hate was is evil and hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection.” “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Well, Paul. It was just a couple of days ago that you had my head spinning in anger towards you and now today, your words have left me a true gift.
May I be gifted with the wisdom to settle deeply into humility and hold tightly to what is good in all. May it be so, Lord. Amen.
“Bless those who persecute you.” Oh, Paul, but do I have to? REALLY?!? When I am forced to think about where my journey is most distant from the way of Jesus, Paul’s declaration here gets at the heart of my lacking. I do not want to bless those who persecute me. I lived in that world long enough, and I have heard the lies and evil that is spoken from those who would persecute me. There was a great deal of pain and confusion that were created in my life as a result. So at this point in my life, I do not want to make them feel good or feed them or offer hospitality to them. In fact, I find great fulfillment through the active admonishment of them.
Yes, this is an honest confession.
Here today, however, I am finding myself once again convicted of perpetuating the cycle of hate. There is nothing less Christ-like than exchanging hate for hate and nothing life giving that comes from it. In fact, if I was completely honest with myself, I would have to admit that letting myself get stuck in the bitterness, anger and resentment I generate in response to this persecution only leaves me feeling more empty and helpless.
So, the questions that now bubble to the surface are, “How do I create change in this area of my life? How can I stop the cycle?” Well, I think Paul’s letter gives me some good clues. Earlier in his letter Paul reminds us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God found in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” And then he also says, “God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that [s]he may be merciful to all.”
Humility in the present moment, Geoff. Humility. “Let love be genuine; hate was is evil and hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection.” “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Well, Paul. It was just a couple of days ago that you had my head spinning in anger towards you and now today, your words have left me a true gift.
May I be gifted with the wisdom to settle deeply into humility and hold tightly to what is good in all. May it be so, Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Standing in Wonderment
Romans 11:33-36
The weather is beautiful today. The sun warm; the breeze is cool; and I am finding myself in awe of this Monarch butterfly that is gingerly floating from flower to flower. She is so delicate and tiny. As she lands on a flower to feed, the stem never bends to acknowledge her presence. And as quickly as she comes, she is gone again, fluttering away, carried on the breeze.
What a beautiful image. What a beautiful piece of creation, that has led me into an attitude of praise. It is awe inspiring to contemplate the intricacies of creation. The interconnectedness of all that is. What a gift to be able to experience the presence of a butterfly this afternoon and to be able to consider, for a brief moment, just how delicate, elaborate, and alive this one butterfly is.
So, just as Paul gives praise for the beauty of this new worldview, I stand in wonderment for the beauty that is found in acknowledging the Life Force that puts all of this that surrounds me in motion. “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.”
The weather is beautiful today. The sun warm; the breeze is cool; and I am finding myself in awe of this Monarch butterfly that is gingerly floating from flower to flower. She is so delicate and tiny. As she lands on a flower to feed, the stem never bends to acknowledge her presence. And as quickly as she comes, she is gone again, fluttering away, carried on the breeze.
What a beautiful image. What a beautiful piece of creation, that has led me into an attitude of praise. It is awe inspiring to contemplate the intricacies of creation. The interconnectedness of all that is. What a gift to be able to experience the presence of a butterfly this afternoon and to be able to consider, for a brief moment, just how delicate, elaborate, and alive this one butterfly is.
So, just as Paul gives praise for the beauty of this new worldview, I stand in wonderment for the beauty that is found in acknowledging the Life Force that puts all of this that surrounds me in motion. “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.”
Friday, September 4, 2009
Expanding the Boundaries
Romans 11:25-32
This morning, a memory has flashed up for me, taking me back to my high school calculus class. On this particular day, we were starting a new section in the Calculus text book. Up to this point we had been reviewing all that we had learned in past classes and looking at the concepts from slightly different perspectives, introducing us to some of the basics of Calculus. However, this morning was going to be different, because this morning we were beginning to get introduced to Calculus Theory. “Absolute Zero.” Ms. Haddock spent the entire class period trying to explain to us the concept of “zero.” How in mathematics you can never actually get to zero, because it is a non-number. You can always add one more number to the end of the decimal and get one more step closer to zero, but in actuality, zero does not exist.
Our heads’ were spinning. “How can there be no zero?” “If you divide something by zero, you get zero.” “If I give all my money away, I have ‘zero’ dollars.” This concept was so abstract to us, that we could not wrap our heads around the idea. Our entire class period was spent by us, the students, arguing proven calculus theory with Ms. Haddock, the resident expert on the issue.
This memory has stuck with me, mainly because I think this was the first moment in my life that I can remember encountering a concept so far outside of my worldview that I found myself simply baffled by the new reality it was creating for me.
I’m seeing Paul struggling here in much the same way with his letter to the Romans. He is trying to explain a radical new way of understanding how YHWH God is working in the world. How do we include those who are ‘outside’ the covenant? How do we, as the outsiders, welcome those who are not welcoming to us? And what does this new way of living and moving and being in the world have to say about God?
I can just imagine the looks on the people’s faces. The Gentiles are completely dumbfounded! "All that we have known is that we are not welcome in this Jewish community, and now we are welcome?" "And we don’t have to do anything or pay anything, or “cut off” anything, in order to belong?"
And the Jews are baffled as well – “What do you mean God’s covenant in Abraham is for people who are outside the covenant?” “You are trying to tell me those “unclean folk” are privileged to the promises of God?”
It’s an argument of boundaries. For generations, the Hebrew people knew who they were by setting themselves apart from others, through the Law. Now Paul is rhetorically, figuratively, and literally turning the Jewish worldview on its head. The question now for Paul should be, "Is the old Law and covenant to be done away with?" – No, absolutely not, at least not for the Jews! But, what Paul is saying is that God is bigger. God is bigger than any of us could have ever imagined. God, who is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, is expanding the boundaries.
That’s something we’re still trying to wrap our heads around today. What does it mean to have a God who is calling us to expand the boundaries? What does it mean to turn a worldview on it’s head and say God is bigger – bigger than we could have ever imagined?
This morning, a memory has flashed up for me, taking me back to my high school calculus class. On this particular day, we were starting a new section in the Calculus text book. Up to this point we had been reviewing all that we had learned in past classes and looking at the concepts from slightly different perspectives, introducing us to some of the basics of Calculus. However, this morning was going to be different, because this morning we were beginning to get introduced to Calculus Theory. “Absolute Zero.” Ms. Haddock spent the entire class period trying to explain to us the concept of “zero.” How in mathematics you can never actually get to zero, because it is a non-number. You can always add one more number to the end of the decimal and get one more step closer to zero, but in actuality, zero does not exist.
Our heads’ were spinning. “How can there be no zero?” “If you divide something by zero, you get zero.” “If I give all my money away, I have ‘zero’ dollars.” This concept was so abstract to us, that we could not wrap our heads around the idea. Our entire class period was spent by us, the students, arguing proven calculus theory with Ms. Haddock, the resident expert on the issue.
This memory has stuck with me, mainly because I think this was the first moment in my life that I can remember encountering a concept so far outside of my worldview that I found myself simply baffled by the new reality it was creating for me.
I’m seeing Paul struggling here in much the same way with his letter to the Romans. He is trying to explain a radical new way of understanding how YHWH God is working in the world. How do we include those who are ‘outside’ the covenant? How do we, as the outsiders, welcome those who are not welcoming to us? And what does this new way of living and moving and being in the world have to say about God?
I can just imagine the looks on the people’s faces. The Gentiles are completely dumbfounded! "All that we have known is that we are not welcome in this Jewish community, and now we are welcome?" "And we don’t have to do anything or pay anything, or “cut off” anything, in order to belong?"
And the Jews are baffled as well – “What do you mean God’s covenant in Abraham is for people who are outside the covenant?” “You are trying to tell me those “unclean folk” are privileged to the promises of God?”
It’s an argument of boundaries. For generations, the Hebrew people knew who they were by setting themselves apart from others, through the Law. Now Paul is rhetorically, figuratively, and literally turning the Jewish worldview on its head. The question now for Paul should be, "Is the old Law and covenant to be done away with?" – No, absolutely not, at least not for the Jews! But, what Paul is saying is that God is bigger. God is bigger than any of us could have ever imagined. God, who is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, is expanding the boundaries.
That’s something we’re still trying to wrap our heads around today. What does it mean to have a God who is calling us to expand the boundaries? What does it mean to turn a worldview on it’s head and say God is bigger – bigger than we could have ever imagined?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Intersection of God and Us
Psalm 131 & Romans 10:5-21
I finished reading the Buttrick assignment last night while sitting at a high school fastpitch softball game – yes, sometimes double tasking is a must for a seminary student. What a great read. Is there something wrong with a person when they actually can’t wait to turn the page of a Homiletics book so they can see what the author is going to say next!?! In his first chapter, Buttrick boldly and deliberately unpacks the power and authority of language. (and as a side note, he is also unashamedly liberal. At moments, I found myself laughing out loud while reading, thinking, “did he really just say that?”) First, he argued, words give name and meaning to the world around us. He reminded us of Helen Keller, “Did not [she] admit that, deaf and blind, she had no “world” until a first word was grasped? Then, in spite of blindness, she was able through language to conceive the populated world in which she lived. Language thus assembles a significant world in consciousness.” Secondly, stories give us our meaning and place in the world conceived and created by words. Memory allows us to store significant stories from our past and then link these events together through a “plot” in order to define “who we are.” And finally he argued, the Christ event, is the major “plot changer” in the story of humanity for those of Christ and in Christ. Jesus Christ reveals to us the Gratuitous Love, that is God and gives all of us a “pre-story” to define our current context and a post-script to point us towards God’s ultimate goal. And for Buttrick, it is preaching that allows these elements to come together within the church.
Reading the Romans passage this morning, I stumbled upon a phrase quoted directly by Buttrick – I love it when coincidences like this happen – “faith comes from what is heard.” We are converted, and re-converted, as we discover ways that our story and God’s story intersect. I find myself reflecting back on my many church camp experiences. These events are powerful experiences in the spiritual development of young people. One of the reason’s they are so powerful is because participants are given the opportunity to create safe space and then are given time to unpack the stories of their lives within the context of a small group. Within this small group, community is formed and stories of scripture are shared, and in the midst of this, young people are given an opportunity to discover how God has weaved in and out of the “plot” of their lives as they reflect and share together. It is in these moments that God becomes real and intimate in their lives. “Faith comes from what is heard.”
Psalm 131
Oh LORD, my heart is not lifted up,
My eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with its mother;
My soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time on and forevermore.
I finished reading the Buttrick assignment last night while sitting at a high school fastpitch softball game – yes, sometimes double tasking is a must for a seminary student. What a great read. Is there something wrong with a person when they actually can’t wait to turn the page of a Homiletics book so they can see what the author is going to say next!?! In his first chapter, Buttrick boldly and deliberately unpacks the power and authority of language. (and as a side note, he is also unashamedly liberal. At moments, I found myself laughing out loud while reading, thinking, “did he really just say that?”) First, he argued, words give name and meaning to the world around us. He reminded us of Helen Keller, “Did not [she] admit that, deaf and blind, she had no “world” until a first word was grasped? Then, in spite of blindness, she was able through language to conceive the populated world in which she lived. Language thus assembles a significant world in consciousness.” Secondly, stories give us our meaning and place in the world conceived and created by words. Memory allows us to store significant stories from our past and then link these events together through a “plot” in order to define “who we are.” And finally he argued, the Christ event, is the major “plot changer” in the story of humanity for those of Christ and in Christ. Jesus Christ reveals to us the Gratuitous Love, that is God and gives all of us a “pre-story” to define our current context and a post-script to point us towards God’s ultimate goal. And for Buttrick, it is preaching that allows these elements to come together within the church.
Reading the Romans passage this morning, I stumbled upon a phrase quoted directly by Buttrick – I love it when coincidences like this happen – “faith comes from what is heard.” We are converted, and re-converted, as we discover ways that our story and God’s story intersect. I find myself reflecting back on my many church camp experiences. These events are powerful experiences in the spiritual development of young people. One of the reason’s they are so powerful is because participants are given the opportunity to create safe space and then are given time to unpack the stories of their lives within the context of a small group. Within this small group, community is formed and stories of scripture are shared, and in the midst of this, young people are given an opportunity to discover how God has weaved in and out of the “plot” of their lives as they reflect and share together. It is in these moments that God becomes real and intimate in their lives. “Faith comes from what is heard.”
Psalm 131
Oh LORD, my heart is not lifted up,
My eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
Like a weaned child with its mother;
My soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time on and forevermore.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday Prayer
Holy One,
On this beautiful Sunday morning,
we too cry Alleluia.
As the cool, clean morning air fills us with every breath;
Your breath speaks life into being and
sets in motion the movements of the universe.
We too cry Alleluia.
As the dew glistens in the breaking morning sun;
Your Sun’s light brings color and life
to a world that was once dark.
On this day, oh Holy One, we too cry Alleluia.
Open us in this place o God, to the movement of your presence.
May the words, spoken and sung
The images, created and imagined
The life that is shared and shown
Renew us into the people of God, you call us to be.
On this day, oh Holy One, we too cry Alleluia.
Call our attention to the needs of this world.
Hearts broken from the destruction and death dealing ways of war
Lives shattered from the pain of tragedy of fire and storm.
Minds confused by deception and lies.
Use us to deal life, offer comfort and speak truth.
We pause this morning to remember.
To remember a leader and servant of our country who has passed.
May the life and leadership of Ted Kennedy
be known to us this day as an example of dedication
to a cause greater than one’s self.
May Tara’s words inspire us,
Give us hope,
And challenge us to be who we are called to be.
In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
God's Wrath or the Unfolding Chaos
Psalm 95 & Romans 9:19-29
I’m struck this morning with the question, “What does God’s wrath look like?” I mean, we have seen explanations of God’s wrath through the stories of the Hebrew Scriptures, and we have heard references to God’s wrath from illusions to it in the New Testament. And in modern times, many folk have attempted to refer to catastrophic events as results of God’s wrath, only to be ridiculed by the masses for the ignorance of making such statements. So, how does one explain God’s wrath? It’s a question that has got my head to spinning…
Let’s take a look at the “Wrathful” event referenced by Paul, Sodom and Gomorrah. This is a wrath story, no doubt. The people of these cities are not hospitable to the strangers and as a result their city is completely destroyed by God. For the sake of creating a powerful illustration in an attempt to explain God’s demand for hospitable actions towards the stranger in our midst, this story is very compelling. There is no doubt in my mind, after hearing this story, that God demands hospitality, and that the cost of inhospitality is utter destruction. But who in their right mind today would say that, “The Mayan civilization disappeared as a result of God’s wrath,” or “Pompeii was buried in a fiery volcanic explosion because of their disobedience,” or “New Orleans was flooded by Katrina because their city was full of sin.”? Who would dare say to a person dying of AIDS, “God’s wrath has come down on you because of your sin” or, “Your new wife of six months has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and it’s all because you chose not to live into God’s will” or “If you would have just been more hospitable to the stranger, then God would have kept your plant from closing, and you would still have a job.”?
God’s wrath is easy to deal with when we keep it confined in the stories of the ancients. But what if, in our modern times, what we can discover about how the ancients would have described God’s wrath, is actually serving as a reminder for us that God is not in complete control. There is still disorder and chaos in the unfolding of Creation, and God is still hovering over the faces of the deep, bringing order out of the Chaos, and speaking life into the midst of this ever evolving world.
The Psalmist reminds me this morning, as I’ve been musing over God’s wrath, of the importance of staying connected to the Source. Referencing back to creation’s story, the Psalmist writes of making a joyful noise of praise in response to God’s goodness reminding,
“In God’s hands are the depths of the Earth;
the heights of the mountains are God’s also.
The sea is God’s, for (s)he made it, and the dry land, which God’s hands have formed.”
This Psalm makes a rather drastic and abrupt change of voice. Right in the middle of the Psalm, what was the voice of the Psalmist, calling her hearers to praise, is now God’s voice calling her people to genuine, heart-felt relationship. The Psalm ends on a rather uncomfortable note with God stating, “Therefore in my anger I swore, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”
Before I starting writing this morning, I found myself at odds with this Psalm, thinking, “This is just bad theology. How could God not welcome someone into experiencing rest with the Divine?” But on the other side of this musing, I find myself finding peace in these words, because the meaning is true, even if the theology is bad. Without my genuine, heart-felt relationship with God I would not be able to find my way into the rest God offers when the Chaos comes.
I’m struck this morning with the question, “What does God’s wrath look like?” I mean, we have seen explanations of God’s wrath through the stories of the Hebrew Scriptures, and we have heard references to God’s wrath from illusions to it in the New Testament. And in modern times, many folk have attempted to refer to catastrophic events as results of God’s wrath, only to be ridiculed by the masses for the ignorance of making such statements. So, how does one explain God’s wrath? It’s a question that has got my head to spinning…
Let’s take a look at the “Wrathful” event referenced by Paul, Sodom and Gomorrah. This is a wrath story, no doubt. The people of these cities are not hospitable to the strangers and as a result their city is completely destroyed by God. For the sake of creating a powerful illustration in an attempt to explain God’s demand for hospitable actions towards the stranger in our midst, this story is very compelling. There is no doubt in my mind, after hearing this story, that God demands hospitality, and that the cost of inhospitality is utter destruction. But who in their right mind today would say that, “The Mayan civilization disappeared as a result of God’s wrath,” or “Pompeii was buried in a fiery volcanic explosion because of their disobedience,” or “New Orleans was flooded by Katrina because their city was full of sin.”? Who would dare say to a person dying of AIDS, “God’s wrath has come down on you because of your sin” or, “Your new wife of six months has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and it’s all because you chose not to live into God’s will” or “If you would have just been more hospitable to the stranger, then God would have kept your plant from closing, and you would still have a job.”?
God’s wrath is easy to deal with when we keep it confined in the stories of the ancients. But what if, in our modern times, what we can discover about how the ancients would have described God’s wrath, is actually serving as a reminder for us that God is not in complete control. There is still disorder and chaos in the unfolding of Creation, and God is still hovering over the faces of the deep, bringing order out of the Chaos, and speaking life into the midst of this ever evolving world.
The Psalmist reminds me this morning, as I’ve been musing over God’s wrath, of the importance of staying connected to the Source. Referencing back to creation’s story, the Psalmist writes of making a joyful noise of praise in response to God’s goodness reminding,
“In God’s hands are the depths of the Earth;
the heights of the mountains are God’s also.
The sea is God’s, for (s)he made it, and the dry land, which God’s hands have formed.”
This Psalm makes a rather drastic and abrupt change of voice. Right in the middle of the Psalm, what was the voice of the Psalmist, calling her hearers to praise, is now God’s voice calling her people to genuine, heart-felt relationship. The Psalm ends on a rather uncomfortable note with God stating, “Therefore in my anger I swore, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”
Before I starting writing this morning, I found myself at odds with this Psalm, thinking, “This is just bad theology. How could God not welcome someone into experiencing rest with the Divine?” But on the other side of this musing, I find myself finding peace in these words, because the meaning is true, even if the theology is bad. Without my genuine, heart-felt relationship with God I would not be able to find my way into the rest God offers when the Chaos comes.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Lavish Mercy
Romans 9:1-18
Paul’s words are wrestling within me this morning… I hear him trying to reconcile himself and his followers into the promise of Abraham, but I am struggling to accept his attempt to rationalize his moves. Paul speaks here about “God’s elect,” quoting God in Genesis, “I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.” And concluding his argument here stating, “[God] has mercy on whomever [God] chooses, and [God] hardens the heart of whomever [God] chooses.”
Does God really have an “elect?” Does God really choose to have mercy on some and harden the hearts of others? No. Now with that said, I would have to agree with Paul on the level that some folk have not opened themselves to the understanding that all people are children of God, and therefore have chosen to not live out the example of Jesus’ life. But is that a result of God’s choosing or life’s doing?
The grace of God that draws us into more intimate knowings of God and of ourselves is wide and open in its invitation, yet narrow and jagged in its terrain. The wounding that life experience can give us, doesn’t often leave us open to the invitation to join in the journey. The brokenness of our world is evidence of this. Human relationships are broken, and brokenness precipitates brokenness. And every time we perpetuate the brokenness, we participate in humanity’s greatest sin.
So then, how does one open one’s self to receive the understanding that they are a beautiful child of God, claimed by God into the family of God? Well, I think it starts with unbinding mercy and choosing to spread it lavishly to all we encounter.
Paul’s words are wrestling within me this morning… I hear him trying to reconcile himself and his followers into the promise of Abraham, but I am struggling to accept his attempt to rationalize his moves. Paul speaks here about “God’s elect,” quoting God in Genesis, “I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.” And concluding his argument here stating, “[God] has mercy on whomever [God] chooses, and [God] hardens the heart of whomever [God] chooses.”
Does God really have an “elect?” Does God really choose to have mercy on some and harden the hearts of others? No. Now with that said, I would have to agree with Paul on the level that some folk have not opened themselves to the understanding that all people are children of God, and therefore have chosen to not live out the example of Jesus’ life. But is that a result of God’s choosing or life’s doing?
The grace of God that draws us into more intimate knowings of God and of ourselves is wide and open in its invitation, yet narrow and jagged in its terrain. The wounding that life experience can give us, doesn’t often leave us open to the invitation to join in the journey. The brokenness of our world is evidence of this. Human relationships are broken, and brokenness precipitates brokenness. And every time we perpetuate the brokenness, we participate in humanity’s greatest sin.
So then, how does one open one’s self to receive the understanding that they are a beautiful child of God, claimed by God into the family of God? Well, I think it starts with unbinding mercy and choosing to spread it lavishly to all we encounter.
Friday, August 28, 2009
What a Gift
Well, this week, I began my journey into my final fall semester, and I woke up this morning feeling the weight of this semester’s expectations heavy on my shoulders. Multiple large papers due: 10 pg personal reflection paper; 20-25 pg constructive theology “Personal Credo”; 5-7 pg report on the theologian with whom I am going to be in dialogue in order to create my “Personal Credo”; a master curriculum for my ministry site; weekly mentor meetings; monthly Ministry Support Committee meetings; 2 sermons; and this journal. Sounds like a lot, huh? Well that is because it is a lot! So yes, this journal is part of that burden. Part of this the requirements for Intro to Preaching is for the student to keep a daily journal, reflecting on: the scripture reading for the day; an assigned sermon which was read, watched or heard; and/or our assigned readings for the week.
However, this semester I have committed myself to have a new frame of mind in regards to life. As I feel the heaviness of this season building upon me, I am going to embrace it. Each assignment, activity, or expectation is an opportunity. An opportunity to be stretched, molded, challenged, and transformed. I am finding within myself a deeper joy than I have experienced in a long time. It is a sense, a peace, a knowing, an understanding… that I am connected and loved and called. And it is something that has been missing for a large part of my seminary journey. This is due in a big part to the reality that I am finding a greater peace with who I am as a child of God. As such, I want to continue this reconciliation of my heart and soul and mind and strength with the One who called me, even in the midst of my blind and broken view of myself. In this light, as each assignment is completed, the pack for this semester becomes lighter, I become freer and more in tune to the Divine spark that drew me to this seminary journey four years ago.
Lord, may it be so. Amen.
Romans 8:31-39
What a gift this morning. To be intentional about this process, I cleared my desk, turned down the lights, lit a couple of candles, and began playing Chris Rice’s Living Room Series. The result is a room that is quiet, calm, and calling me into a greater awareness.
I flipped through the Chalice Hymnal to find the Daily Readings that have been laid out for personal study, and then scrolled through my calendar in order to find out what week we are in for this year, discovering that we are in the 35th week. Friday’s reading for this week is Romans 8:31-39, some beautiful words from Paul. “If God is for us, who is against us?” “It is God who justifies.” “It is Christ Jesus, … who intercedes for us.” “…we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” “…nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
I laughed out loud as I began reading. Considering all that I was bringing with me as I opened up the Bible this morning, what an affirmation of the mind-set that I am feeling led to live out of for this semester. I could very easily find myself letting my mind get swept away into the torrents of the to do’s for this semester, but the deepest, truest part of my reality is right here and right now – in this moment – knowing and embracing the experience of the inescapable, inseparable, indescribable, unfathomable love of God, known to me through Christ Jesus, my Lord. This is what I must hold tightest to, and as the sometimes raging river of this semester feels as if it might over take me, I can be reminded that, I, too, am more than a conqueror.
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