The Reign of God as bounteous strength. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com . The Reign of God as bounteous strength is just enough to see us through the next moment - no matter what is in store. It is not the kind of strength of comic book characters in which there is a triumphant defeat of the power of evil and a happy ending in which everyone is saved - and they even look better than before the threat. The Reign of God as bounteous strength is that which is with us and never letting go of us even when all the powers of the world - all the disease - all the hate - all the violence, seems to be getting the world as they want it. In the middle of that - when it looks as though there may be nothing left - there is this Reign. We can rest when we are being beaten and left out to dry for that is where our God will be - along with all the faithful who have also been taken up into this bounteous strength. Yes, death may come - the disease may worsen - we may come out looking and feeling beaten and deformed, yet the Reign of God as bounteous strength is at hand. I'm not quite sure how to say more. At times, I have had that strength handed to me. Once it was simply in the form of a nurse who could see I was anxious before surgery. She simply put a hand on my should and said, "Everything will be alright." I think the strength was present in the mix of touch and words of encouragement. Either one by themselves may not have been enough - not sure. But there in that drawn-curtain space was the Reign of God as bounteous strength and I was able to breathe and rest. O God of love and new life, bring us into the rest you provide for all who long to make it through whatever is about to take place. Amen. |
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