As for those who in this present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that is really life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

This week, all around the country people will pause, even if it’s just briefly, and thank God for what they have. It will be especially striking to those of us who have not experienced loss or extreme hardship while navigating the pandemic. This passage from Timothy reminds me that as a follower of Jesus, my task each day is to give thanks for what God has provided. 
Notice that Paul doesn’t suggest that those “who are rich in this present age” get rid of all their possessions. Paul doesn’t call on those who are “rich in this present age” to not enjoy what they have. 

Is it possible God may call on us to do this? Yes. Remember, Jesus saw how the rich man made an idol out of money and called on him to sell everything he had, give his money away, and follow Jesus.  

But assuming God isn’t calling you to do that right now, the point is that what we have been given is to be handled with care and treated with respect. Remember, if you are a follower of Jesus, what you have been given has been given not because you deserve it, not because you earned it, and not because you were owed it. We are called to enjoy what we’ve been given, but more importantly we are called to remember who gave it. To embody the qualities of the giver and participate in God’s work in the world. 

Throughout the rest of this week, let us work to demonstrate generosity, extend grace, and live with awareness that the greatest gift that one can be given is that of eternal life.  

We must obey God rather than any human authority. Acts 5:29

Lately I’ve been thinking about those things in my life that have slowly worked their way into an elevated position in my day to day. How tightly do I cling to money? If I were to loosen my grip, do I trust that God would provide? If I were to completely and forever commit to eliminating behaviors that are contrary to the life God calls me to, do I think the life Jesus offers would be better?

When my mind is clearest, when I am oriented toward God, I am able to see these things as they are, idols. They are false Gods. They are lords that I have elevated to the point of having dominion over my life.

For each of us, these lords rob us of the life the Lord of Lords intends for us to live. The call of every Jesus follower is to turn back and orient ourselves toward God. So today, let us subject ourselves not to the lords that rob us of joy, but the to the Lord who brought joy to this world through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son.  

Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.

“I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring.” —Isaiah 44:3

“Peter said: ‘The promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’” —Acts 3:39

Like the Apostle Peter said, the promise is for us, for our children, and for everyone far and near. God calls us all. These verses made me think back to my parents and grandparents and how they influenced my faith. My maternal grandmother would attend church services every Sunday and would write beautiful poems about God and her faith. My mother was the one who made sure we went to church every Sunday, even when we went on vacation. I didn’t mind. I have fond memories of ecumenical campfire services at places where we would go camping. Worshipping outside surrounded by God’s creation felt very natural and wonderful to me. My mother also modeled service for me, as she was always helping in one way or another at church.

God’s spirit poured over onto me through the faith of my ancestors and blessed me and my children. But God’s love is not confined to just my family. God’s love is for all people—for you, for your family, for your friends, and for all people all over the world. God calls to us all. All we have to do is listen for that call and believe and be blessed!  Amen.

“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.”

“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.