When Bad Things Happen

I refuse to believe that God EVER causes us pain, nor is God ever cruel. The God I know loves unconditionally and has infinite grace for each of us. Moreover, God respects our dignity.

Recently some people whom I love and serve dealt me a stunning blow. I was hurt deeply by their caustic comments about my preaching and pastoral care. This has caused me to offer my resignation.

A number of well meaning people have said, “This is just God’s way of moving you on.” I understand their love and concern, but I don’t believe God ever does something to crush our hearts, or bring us to submission to his will. God’s leads, the Lord never manipulates or uses violence. And I consider what has happened to me a violent act–not of God, but of an evil spirit.

So, as I wait to see what God will make of this attack on my dignity and assault on my preaching and pastoral ministry, I pray. I pray for all those who have stabbed me in the heart with their unkind words. I pray for their blessing and their peace. I pray for myself and my wife for discernment and strength as we wait on the Lord to lead us forward. And I pray for all those who join us in their own prayers.

May the Peace of Christ be with you all.

The Testimony of Nature

Lent is a time for reflection and prayer. It is a time when we examine ourselves and come face to face with our humanity and all the ways we fall short of God’s glory and expectations. But Sundays during Lent remind us of God’s love and infinite grace. Sundays in Lent are a time revel in the glory of God and one way we experience God’s glory is in the created world around us. Just watching the world reawaken reminds us we, too, can reawaken to God’s plan for salvation. The Psalm for today is a testimony and celebration of God’s glory and righteousness in all the world. Listen for a Word from God in 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.” (Psalm 19, NRSV)

John Calvin said that there is no reason anyone can claim that they never heard of God’s glory and saving grace. Why? It is because all of creation is a testimony to the One living God. Every passing cloud, each drop of rain, from dandelion to rose, and from singing bird to the rustle of dry leaves, God’s glory is proclaimed in all creation. All any of us have to do is open our eyes, or feel the coolness of the morning air, or hear the gentle purr of a kitten to know that God is real and alive. The testimony is all around us and fills every day. Even if there were no words, nature itself proclaims God’s presence and goodness.

So, it should humble us while at the same time fill us with joy that the creator of all all worlds should desire a relationship with us–call us his children–and extend to us his grace. And in extending his grace to us, God offered up his own son. And the Lord sealed our relationship and fills us with the very Spirit of his holiness. Not that we, ourselves, are holy but, God is holy for us.

We may not understand God’s plan for salvation, but we can accept God’s gift of salvation we are offered in Christ Jesus his son. In just calling on his name–even in a whisper–we become one with him. And then, like all the created world around us, we begin to make God’s presence, grace, and glory known in the world. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Golden Light

The new Jerusalem is described in the book of revelation. 

^{16The city lies foursquare, . . . 18 The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city are adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates is a single pearl, and the street of the city is pure gold, transparent as glass. Revelation 21:16–21 (NRSV)}

 

Waking up early in these brisk Autumn mornings is truly a blessing. In its rising the sun blazes across the horizon flooding the still sleeping earth with cool, bright light. The remaining leaves on the trees catch the rays of light and filter them, but they can’t take away the golden color of the of first light.

This morning as I looked out the window the description of the New Jerusalem came to my mind. The light filling the air could have been reflecting off the “golden street” described for us in Revelation 21. 

Of course the Golden Street as well as the bejeweled gates are metaphors. But reflecting on the golden light renewed my faith that after the deep darkness of the night God brings forth a new, golden day for the earth, for each of us, and for the church. 

Sometimes we are tempted to look back at the “golden days” of our past and long for life to return us there–to that day of promise and plenty. But God does not want us to go back. God leads us steadily onward, day by day, from still waters and green pastures into a newer, brighter, “golden age.” 

God will not force us to take one step forward, but the Lord is ahead of us, calling to us to follow. 

Almighty and gentle shepherd prepare us for the journey ahead into the golden light of a new day. Help us to move beyond the darkness that sometimes threatens to swallow us whole. Open our eyes to the work you have for us and fill us with faith and hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Finding Yourself

In the 60s it seemed like everyone was on a mission, “to find themselves.”  We asked, “Why was I born? What difference does my life make?  What was I meant to do with my life?”

 In search of purpose in life some decided to live a communal life, sharing everything.  Others went into the Peace Corps or VISTA.  Some just wandered around this country and the world hoping to “find” some meaning.  And a few just tried to escape into the drug scene.  But I think most of us just did what Sharon Budzier reported she has done.  “I’ve just worked at a job, supported my church, and tried to be a decent human b eing.”[1]

 Then, Sharon had an important revelation:  “It has finally dawned on me that I am meant to go about God’s business while I’m going about mine.  Of the many choices I make every day, each one can be evaluated in light of one question:  What would God want me to do?”[2]

 Today the popular phrase is WWJD, What Would Jesus Do.  But the question should be the one Sharon asks in her daily life, “What would God want me to do in this situation?”

 In my opinion Sharon has truly “found herself” in realizing that purpose in life doesn’t come from doing something the world calls significant.  Our purpose in life is to do go about our daily lives with our hearts open to God’s purpose and leading.

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[1] Budzier, Sharon.  The Upper Room Daily Devotional—email edition, July 29, 2004.  © The Upper Room 1996-2004.

[2] Ibid.

The Upper Room Daily Devotional—email edition, July 29, 2004.  © The Upper Room 1996-2004.