The lead piece is from "Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. In this book she takes many of the words and images of the faith and attempts to put some reality and life to them.
JUDGMENT In commenting about the parable of the Weeds and the Wheat we hear:
I began to find the parable absurdly freeing not from responsibility but from the disease of perfectionism. Even the image of fire, which had troubled me so as a child, was transformed into a symbol of hope. Another of the texts (on the Sunday this parable was read in worship)...was from Exodus, the story of Moses and the burning bush. I began to see God's fire, like a good parent's righteous anger, as something that can flare up, challenge, and even change us, but that does not destroy the essence of who we are. The thought of all my weeds burning off so that only the wheat remains came to seem a good thing.
Norris goes on to quote one of my favorite hymns, "How Firm a Foundation" and offers this verse.
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie
My grace all sufficient shall be your supply.
The flame shall not hurt you, my only design
Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
My life is a mixture of wheat and weeds. Isn't it the most gracious of acts that God will take care of the weeds...so that what is left is the wheat...the gold. And there, each of us will stand...wheat...golden...ripe. Do not fear. I like to remember that in Christ, the "judgment" is eternally FOR US! Within that vision, there is no need for any of us to judge others or try to serve as the gatekeepers trying to maintain status quo in the reign of God.
Connection: It is difficult to resist the temptation to live our lives under the "threat" of a judgment that will come "if we don't get it right." Truth is no one will ever get it right. Therefore, today may be the perfect time to step onto the freedom train headed straight for the glory of God...be bold and travel ahead by grace alone.
O Holy Foundation of all that is, it is by your love and mercy that we are embraced and taught and sent as your beloved children out into our day. Give us the ears to hear your promise of new life and eyes to see how that love unfolds around us and in us. Amen.
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