We continue with 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore prepare your minds for actions; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct: for it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
The action of the our lives is set on a contrary rule. We will live within the discipline of radical grace - grace that goes deep down to the very center of all that is creative in and through all time. Our action is our life. In a world that points fingers and attempts to draw us into the ways of bitterness, retribution, war, violence, self-centered living - we are invited to not fit into - do not conform - to such a way. It is not easy as it is the way of all that is around us. When we are baptized in Christ, Jesus, we are taken into a new life. This is not,are no longer tied to ignorant ways of discord and fighting and brokenness. We are wholly, holy people. That's a mouthful. And yet, that is us. We are the visible revelation of what is considered holy - God's image in the world. With that in our minds and our hearts, our action is now defined by something other than the powers of the world. We hold onto contrary values and we present ourselves to the world as God's holy ones who can be identified within the ordinary stuff of this day. The day is holy and we participate in that which makes it holy - indeed. Connection: Holy is never far off. It is not a comment about what might be or what might come. It is the calling out of what is already within the grasp and shaping power of our God. That us! So take a deep breath look out at the world - look into the mirror - look at your friends, family and enemies and learn to hear and sing these words: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God, Almighty, early in the morning.....you make yourself known to me (some works - traditional; some words - just came out). In the middle of what is so common, O God, keep your hopefulness pumping through us and sustaining in us a life that is shaped by your holy presence. Amen |
No comments:
Post a Comment