27 December 2006

With the Christmas weekend over and an extra day for a break, we go back into 1 Peter and pick up in the fourth chapter.

The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (4:7-11)

Back in the days of the writer, folks probably thought the end was near. Yes, there were notions of Jesus coming back within the early life of the church. But then again, the end of life is always just moments away - who knows. To live as though we trust that the Lord will be with us and it is near to the end, is not to be a position of fear. It is an opportunity to live without fear. In fact, we are invited to live within the unending hospitality of the one we follow - now! This is not in order to get a reward nor is it in order to forgo some punishment. Rather, it is a reminder of what we have now and what kind of opportunity we are given for life that is usually forgotten or ignored. If we are near the end of all things, it is quite appropriate for stewards of the grace of the God to let the graciousness of the Reign of the Christ show through us. I would suggest that we are at the end of all things....every day. With that in mind - and just as much in our heart - the life that was demonstrated by Jesus is ours to share for it has been handed over to us and for us. Of course it isn't something we readily take on into this day. but this life of grace is there and...the serving...the love...the conversations of hope and care...the support for others...the strength to go beyond the limits we put on ourselves, awaits our participation. Do not fear!! Live!

Connection: The babble about end times that so often does nothing within our culture but cause fear...put lots of money in a few preachers pockets...turn mediocre writers into the writers of many books...and make people view others as mere things to conquer with faith. Well, it is the end of time with the special intent that we each become free form such lies and free for one another in an arena of love that has no conditions. What a way to go...what a way to begin.

This is your day, O God, you take our hands and you walk with us into the unknown and yet it is that which we face even now. Be our encouragement so that as we step off into your eternal Reign, it will already be the source of new life and hope. Amen.