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Monday, November 9, 2020
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’” —Isaiah 65:1
One of the really interesting social challenges that seems to have been exacerbated in the last several years is how to properly express tone of voice in written communication. I remember my little brother explaining to me once that responding to a suggestion with “yes” or “yeah” can make one seem reluctant, hesitant, or even sarcastic. I’ve read that people have started ending text messages with no punctuation because a period at the end of a sentence is sometimes perceived as unenthusiastic. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been uncertain how to interpret the simple reply “sure.”
What’s lurking behind all of this is that we really don’t want to feel as if we’re imposing on someone, or insisting on something the other party isn’t really happy about. More dramatically, we don’t want to feel that we’re imposing ourselves on someone, or insisting on ourselves. The fear of rejection, the fear of not being liked or loved the way we like or love, is powerful. It affects so much of how we behave, not just in text conversations but in so many of our human interactions. It’s not uncommon for us to avoid an interaction altogether because we fear rejection.
Which makes it even more striking that God initiates relationship with people over and over, despite the long history of rejection. In this verse from the book of Isaiah, God describes his proactive mission to reveal himself to humanity, and specifically to his chosen and beloved nation of Israel. It’s not that they (or we) go looking for God. God comes looking for us.
God doesn’t let fear of rejection deter him from the relationship with us that he longs for. Instead, God creates the path to himself and leads us along it. When we ignore or reject God, God keeps waiting, keeps coming back.
If you haven’t been seeking God, if you haven’t been calling on God’s name, there’s good news: God is right beside you, right behind you, right in front of you, all around you, saying, “Here am I, here am I.”
Friday, November 6, 2020
Today’s reflection is by Deacon Karen Katamay.
“I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness. I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things.” —Isaiah 45:6-7
“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” —2 Thessalonians 3:5
As the days get shorter and darkness comes earlier, the part of the verse from Isaiah about God forming light and darkness stood out for me. Although I may see the shorter days and longer nights as an inconvenience for me and a reminder that winter is on its way, the change in daylight hours is a natural occurrence and part of God’s natural order of things. The shorter, cooler days signal plants and trees to begin to store energy in their trunks and roots to survive the winter. They are a sign to the birds to begin their migration, and a sign for all creatures to prepare for the colder weather to come. God forms light and darkness as part of his plan for creation.
Yet sometimes we face our own personal darkness, such as when we are angry, or depressed, or have bad thoughts about others. I admit that I have caught myself at times slipping into negative thoughts, especially with the polarization of our politics lately. But when I do, I take this to the Lord in prayer and he shines his light into my heart and mind and lifts me out of my negativity.
If we just take the time in prayer to ask for forgiveness and guidance when we feel the darkness in our lives, then, as the second verse today from 2 Thessalonians reminds us, the Lord will direct our hearts to the love of God and to our Savior, Jesus Christ, who will always be there for us and will guide us. Our loving, faithful God is truly like no other. Amen.
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
“Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” — 1 John 2:2
I always brush my teeth before going to the dentist for a cleaning. I’ve wondered, over the years, if doing so is necessary or just redundant. A Google search I did about five minutes ago confirms that brushing before a dental appointment is a good idea: it improves the efficiency of the cleaning. While efficiency is a good reason to brush before going to the dentist, it’s not really why I do it. I brush before going to the dentist because I want to make a good impression. I want to show up to my appointment all cleaned up and put together, so I won’t be embarrassed, and so I can demonstrate my good dental hygiene. It’s not unusual for us to want to “show up” to the stuff in our lives looking all put together. We do some light cleaning around the house to get ready for the professional cleaners arrive. We aim to lose a few pounds before joining a gym. Sometimes this instinct is harmless; sometimes it really gets in the way of our progress.
Have you ever felt like you need to get yourself cleaned up before you can approach God? I have. Like if I just behave a little better, sin a little less, read my Bible a little more, get my bad attitudes in check, do a few more acts of kindness—then I’ve earned my right to pray. If I just get my act together, then I can expect God to listen to me. I can finally expect God to love me a little more.
But, of course, that approach to God is totally backwards.
Today’s passage reminds us that our access to God—to God’s forgiveness and acceptance—has nothing to do with our own goodness or efforts. Our access to God has nothing to do with how “put together” we are. Our access to God has everything to do with Jesus. Jesus is the active party. Jesus is the one who’s already done the heavy lifting. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection we can, and should, turn to God just as we are: broken, messy, sinful, doubtful, confused, tired, regretful, hurting…you name it. There is no amount of tidying up you can do that will make God listen more, forgive more, or love more. God is already doing these things to the full. And no amount of cleaning up we do comes close to the washing away of sins that Jesus has already done, once and for all, for you and for the whole world.
When we feel we need to get our act together before we can start following Jesus, we miss the point. It is in following Jesus that we can enjoy being wholly ourselves: wholly loved and wholly forgiven.
