Monday, September 19, 2011

Yesterday's message

     So many things were happening yesterday that I neglected to share a reflection on the Scriptures of the day.  I would like to use this opportunity to do so.

     Progress and knowledge, experience and creativity move at such a fast pace that its hard to catch one's breath.  As I told the people yesterday, I remember when computers took an entire room and were fed by data punch cards -- now they are as small as a cell phone.  There was a time when to cross the Atlantic from Europe to the U.S. was a long ocean voyage, now it is a few hours flight.  Times change.  And with the changing times come growing difficulty in understanding and appreciating the Word of God.  While we know more about languages and historical context than ever before, our view of ourselves has clouded and confused the issue.  We see ourselves as being god-like.  We have the power and ability to do whatever we want.  We are gods.

     And when we see ourselves in that way, then when we hear the invitation of the scriptures to "seek the lord while he may be found" or to "call to him while he is still here" we are confused.  Aren't we there already?  Are we not on a par with God?  Are not the things that we accomplish god-like?  And we forget what we heard in Isaiah the prophet: "my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.  As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts."

     Without this clear understanding that we are NOT equals, that we do NOT share the same footing, we find it difficult to appreciate and rejoice in the overwhelming love of God for us, his generous spirit that allows him to give to us what he himself possesses.  This is the great mystery, the great revelation, the great truth of God's LOVE ... that he HAS chosen us to share with him - not his godly nature - but his lifegiving love for all eternity.  For this we must be most thankful.

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