Following last week's pattern, I will be adding to each day - God's love as the beginning - the end - now. Tuesday I wasn't sure how to start this look at the now of God's love. When we talk about God's love as the foundation from which we enter the day and then talk about God's love as the power pulling us into the future unveiling of God's Reign, what about now? Yesterday I watched the last half of the Lord of The Rings (#3). During one of the endings, the new king is crowned with masses of characters (all types and all sizes) looking on. They all bow as the king walks toward them. Then in front of the king are the four Hobbits. They begin to bow but the king stops them and says, "You do not need to bow to anyone." Then - then - the king all the characters turn toward the Hobbits and bow to them. It is a blow you head off kind of moment. That's it. The moment. Those Hobbits were always in the moment. There against all odds and at what appeared to be a great disadvantage (they are only Hobbits you know) they take on the day and live boldly. They are on a quest - an adventure - a journey. They have purpose and substance to their lives. I would contend that as followers of Jesus who have been invited into a life that is wrapped up in the beginning and the end of the God whose love is everlasting, now is the time for that love to materialize. In religious circles we may use language like incarnation. That is a good word to use in the week before Advent and the coming of the Lord. Incarnation. "Now the Silence" is a hymn by Jaroslav Vajda (text) and it is a verse full of "now." I love the repetition and the addition. The repetition of Now and the addition of all the aspects of God's Reign that are present here and Now. This is the way of God's love. It is not something stored up or put away for a rainy day or remembered as part of another day and time. Rather, the beginning and the end join hands in the present - this moment - to make a people whose love will be the reflection of God's love. That is the hope of all Scripture. That is the coming of the Messiah. That is the "Yes!" to the way of God coming among us in the flesh so that we will know the importance of a "now" that walks on the love has the power to create and the power to put all things to rest forevermore. Now. O God of love and new life, make this day a time of love that expressed through the body of your beloved Son so that we may be for the world a bit of hope when the time at hand seems hopeless. Amen. O God of love and new life, be our hope and consolation. Amen. |
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