Scripture: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good, for God’s mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim that God redeemed them from the hand of the foe, gathering them in from the lands; from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some were fools and took rebellious paths; through their sins they were afflicted. They loathed all manner of food and drew near to death’s door. Then in their trouble they cried to the Lord and you delivered them from their distress. You sent forth your word and healed them and rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to you, Lord, for your steadfast love and your wonderful works for all people. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and tell of your deeds with shouts of joy.
A Note to You:
Last week we looked at stories in which attempts to control life proved to be futile. So much of life remains beyond our controlling efforts. Instead of building up the illusion - through aggressive, compulsive, and obsessive behavior that seeks to script each moment and dictate all that will happen - Jesus invites you (and me) to the place of letting go. It is a place of spiritual acceptance. God is ultimately the one who sustains life, not me (or you.)
These are hard lessons. To be honest with you, I am one who is practicing this truth but has yet to master it. I find myself in daily need of the reminder to let go and trust in God’s care. Fear not. Breathe. Embrace my lack of control. Only then will I have the insight, wisdom, and ability to see beyond me. Outward vision is a virtue and value of those who follow Jesus.
Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus advocated for an opening of the self toward the neighbor. Even in the case where the neighbor is an enemy, Jesus taught his disciples to love. Love with the kind of love that God has for the entire creation.
You might say, “that’s a nice sentiment, but what about the real world?” We live in a time when we can see on our phones the destructive violence of evil forces that indiscriminately attack. Within moments of the gun violence at the Floridian High School, we heard the report. How do you love in that situation? Love the one who took the lives of seventeen people? How do you love the one on the other side of the political conversation on gun control? Fear is a far more natural emotion to navigate. Fear drives us inward and separates us from the cooperative solutions that we need. Fear encourages isolationism of the spirit.
When you and I isolate our spirit - by hiding behind barricades hastily erected to keep ourselves safe - we turn in the opposite direction from God. Fear motivates a blasphemy of the heart. We usurp God and claim divine judgment as we label God’s children as threats. Fear works this dark magic in an irrational minute. It turns followers of Jesus into disciples of the Evil One. Ultimately, it deteriorates into violence.
Sadly, you can see this pattern repeat itself throughout Christian history. Fear lays the foundation for Christian participation in Inquisitions, Pogroms, and Holocausts. Fear incites bigotry, hatred, prejudice, and homophobia. Fear fans flames that are hard to put out. Fear chooses violence as a default solution. Like throwing gas on the proverbial fire, violence begets more pain, suffering, and fear. The cycle can only escalate and disintegrate.
The only real-world solution is the one that Jesus offers in his life and ministry. Love and compassion can squelch fear and violence. Love lays a foundation for cooperation and mutuality. Love breaks down walls and barriers and instead builds bridges. Love invites the blessing of diversity to imagine new ventures and patterns. Like a quilt, each bit of fabric plays a vital role in the creation of beauty and warmth.
This week, you will read stories about and be asked to consider the following focal statement:
When the path gets rocky, you might fear others, especially those different from you. Jesus invites you to turn to God by embracing diversity as God’s gift.
Thank you for opening your emails, breathing, reading, reflecting, praying, and making a plan to connect with others during this coming week.
In Christ,
Walt
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