More on Faith, Trust and Risk from Joseph Sittler in "Gravity and Grace."
To build, we reinvestigate, see whether or not the new language can interpret more profoundly the old episodes and words. The task is never done. "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24). That's exactly where we all stand - even Luther, for example. time and again in his own confessions, Luther talks about moments of what he calls Anfechtungen, when he had the horrible fear that he might have been wrong. We resist the notion that the struggle toward the light is lifelong, but that is the fact.
And...the struggle need not be alone nor a burden too heavy to endure. Trusting in the promises of God is a lifelong gift to us for God's promises never end and will never abandon us to our own ways. Therefore, we are assured that as we continue to pursue the way of this love that will not let us go, we will always be within the grasp of this God who promises to see us through all things. On the agenda for today is exactly what was on the agenda yesterday...and will be tomorrow. We are invited to believe that this love for us transforms us into a whole new being again and again even when we fall flat on our faces and live quite opposite of such love. Then again, there is no end to this abiding love and promise of our God who will today...be with us and sustain us...without end. In that promise is the freedom to give ourselves away to others and it is not a burden to do so. This is how justice and mercy begin to emerge among us. We are loved and we are free to love others to such a point that justice for all become the pattern of the day and mercy is the way in which we extend ourselves.
Connection: Go for it...again! The promise is available for the taking. The ride we take is sure to be glorious.
Come, O Lord of New Life, and liberate us through the power of your promises that reshape all things and bring peace to a world longing for new life. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment