The Reign of God as obvious. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as obvious may strike some folks as odd. I want to press a bit on this because I think it may be troublesome for all of us. Often, folks will say that there are many times when the life of the Reign of God is obvious. Then again, there are many times when a situation arises in which we wonder about how we are to live within the Reign of God. We can see many ways to love our neighbor. But what if you are a Palestinian living in the occupied territory of the West Bank, how do you love the people who keep plowing under your vineyards and homes and building walls so that it is next to impossible to go from point A to point B without spending hours in lines or walking/driving great distances? Previously, the trip would have taken minutes. Or what if you are an Israeli who has been taught that Palestinians want you dead or gone no matter what the cost? We might say there is no way for the Reign of God to erupt into that scenario. Really? Can both sides take that leap in which death is not allowed to rule? The Reign of God as obvious invites that leap - even in the face of death - even when the world as we have it and want it may end. Most often, don't have the courage to enter into the obviousness of the Reign of God. Too often, I walk another way - I let death and all of its cohorts steer me and guide me into something less than the Reign of God. And yet, the Reign of God as obvious is out in front of me with an invitation to come and live. O God of love and new life, though your Reign is forever before us and is always the way of peace and justice and filled with hope for a new day, we hold back and hesitate and find other ways to walk. Rescue us today. Amen. |
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