28 June 2006

More on the Word of God by Joseph Sittler.

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). What do we mean when we refer to the Word of God? Primarily we do not mean Scripture; there was a Word of God before there was any Bible. The Hebrew term for word, davar, does not primarily mean something we say or write; it means that the creative force of God himself goes out of himself to do something.

Reading this comment makes me wonder about how limiting it is to see the Word of God as simply the words in the actual texts we have. I know that is our starting place as people of the Book...but even though the canon of the scriptures is closed, does it mean that this creative force of God is stilled? I don't think so. In fact, as I dearly hold on to the great stories within the Bible, I also find that new stories about the work of this God are unfolding around us and if the "book" wasn't closed in the formal decision-making fashion of the past, the book would be ever expanding. God is continuing to go "out of God's self" and doing things among us. Sometimes there are folks who don't like to hear that. They want a more contained and controllable God, I guess. I always try to remember that there needs to be an ongoing dialogue between the Word we have in print and the Word that keeps acting up among us. In the context of that dialogue - when we are not too anxious about what might come of it - miracle happen...lives are transformed...people are born again. The Word of God carries a power that we sometimes fear because it doesn't let our set-in-stone world remain there anymore. And yet, God's Word continues to be a living cornerstone for all of us.

Connection: Sometimes it would be good to think about naming the actions of the day as a part of the Word of God and the creative force that goes with it. No need to wait for a grand event either!

Lord God, it is in the tossing and turning of your creative power that your people continue to cross over into your unfolding Reign. There may be days when we grow tired of crossing over and being pulled into possibilities for life. When we are so tired, be our breath of fresh air and new life. Amen.