This week: God as opposite. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]We follow. We do not lead. God as opposite reminds us - often gently and at times
quite abruptly - that we can have a life full of the wealth of God's peaceable Reign.
Too often when we try to take the lead in that journey toward peace it is by way
of warfare. We work for peace through waging war. We attempt to set things right
- the way we would have it be - and in doing that we cast stones at the ones we
call wrong - enemies - those people. God as opposite invites us to step alongside
those we would like to change and those we think are our enemies. In that movement,
we will find out something new - we do not know how to make peace. We only know
how to make a world we want to have. That, unfortunately never creates peace. God
as opposite brings us into the domain of peace by offering us a place at the table
with the stranger and the other. Rather than fight it out, we are encouraged to
experience each others company. In that way, we cannot lead because we will soon
find out that everyone wants to be the leader. It is then that we may become surprised
by how the Spirit invites us to rest and consider the way of peace that begins only
as we welcome the other and begin to see and hear all things with new eyes and new
ears.
O God of love and new life, let you Reign come down upon us and refresh us with
life that bring refreshment to all. Amen.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for June 27, 2013
This week: God as opposite. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]In many ways, God as opposite means it may be necessary to undo what we have done
or what we have said or how we have committed ourselves. I think that is all a part
of repentance. Repentance is triggered and empowered by seeing and hearing our God
as opposite. In the many ways the Holy Spirit does this, we are faced with the wide,
open Reign of God that probably doesn't look like our most well-laid plans for the
day. Therefore, we are encouraged - maybe even pulled - to grab hold of the movement
of God Reign and go in that direction and not our own. As we are pulled into seeing
and hearing this opposite way - we will find ourselves facing life around us with
new eyes and seeing the world around us with new ears. God as opposite is a tap
on the shoulder that always says: come and follow me.
O God of love and new life, tap us and turn us and tenderly remind us of the way
of your gentle and loving Reign so that we will settle down and abide there today.
Amen.
or what we have said or how we have committed ourselves. I think that is all a part
of repentance. Repentance is triggered and empowered by seeing and hearing our God
as opposite. In the many ways the Holy Spirit does this, we are faced with the wide,
open Reign of God that probably doesn't look like our most well-laid plans for the
day. Therefore, we are encouraged - maybe even pulled - to grab hold of the movement
of God Reign and go in that direction and not our own. As we are pulled into seeing
and hearing this opposite way - we will find ourselves facing life around us with
new eyes and seeing the world around us with new ears. God as opposite is a tap
on the shoulder that always says: come and follow me.
O God of love and new life, tap us and turn us and tenderly remind us of the way
of your gentle and loving Reign so that we will settle down and abide there today.
Amen.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for June 26, 2013
This week: God as opposite. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]God as opposite invites us to take another look or consider another story line or
pause and breathe. All that means is that we often charge off as we would like to
charge off into the day. That means we have a vision of who we are and who we want
to be and very often, that vision rules the day and the vision of the Reign of God
is a side note. I'm not good at this - but it really does mean that we must give
ourselves the time or opportunity to change our mind and our direction. No matter
how right we feel or how great our idea may be, it is worth taking a breath and
look around and become aware of other ways to move ahead. God as opposite is always
pulling us toward peace and service and love of other. So we need to face our own
lives with a bit of honesty and note how we might be turning and going off in a
direction contrary to our God. Yes, it is a daily exercise - we often need others
to help in that turn around.
O God of love and new life, open up this day so that we know we can pause and be
still and learn to look again at the way we are walking and then in the middle
of all that, trust in you alone. Amen.
pause and breathe. All that means is that we often charge off as we would like to
charge off into the day. That means we have a vision of who we are and who we want
to be and very often, that vision rules the day and the vision of the Reign of God
is a side note. I'm not good at this - but it really does mean that we must give
ourselves the time or opportunity to change our mind and our direction. No matter
how right we feel or how great our idea may be, it is worth taking a breath and
look around and become aware of other ways to move ahead. God as opposite is always
pulling us toward peace and service and love of other. So we need to face our own
lives with a bit of honesty and note how we might be turning and going off in a
direction contrary to our God. Yes, it is a daily exercise - we often need others
to help in that turn around.
O God of love and new life, open up this day so that we know we can pause and be
still and learn to look again at the way we are walking and then in the middle
of all that, trust in you alone. Amen.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for June 25, 2013
This week: God as opposite. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]Knowing that our God is a gracious God - merciful and forgiving - when God is seen
as opposite, God is always inviting. If God was out to 'get us' for not acting in
a certain way, God would not be the God who is always ready to embrace us without
getting our permission. Therefore as we go off in another direction and follow
other gods of the day, this gracious God is one that bids us to come home. God as
opposite is always showing us the love that awaits us even as we seem to be stuck
and even prefer a word of discord and hate or simple apathy. We may turn and go
another direction - but God as opposite pursues us - never being far off - never
giving up on us. That is not how most of us act. Within the world of our brokenness,
humanity tends to break off ties, hold grudges, seek revenge, and simply wag our
fingers in disgust. God as opposite is not like us. Rather we are invited to take
on more and more of the character of our God. In that, we are becoming new each
day.
O God of love and new life, keep us mindful of your gracious Reign as we go off
and think that there is life in other places. Amen.
as opposite, God is always inviting. If God was out to 'get us' for not acting in
a certain way, God would not be the God who is always ready to embrace us without
getting our permission. Therefore as we go off in another direction and follow
other gods of the day, this gracious God is one that bids us to come home. God as
opposite is always showing us the love that awaits us even as we seem to be stuck
and even prefer a word of discord and hate or simple apathy. We may turn and go
another direction - but God as opposite pursues us - never being far off - never
giving up on us. That is not how most of us act. Within the world of our brokenness,
humanity tends to break off ties, hold grudges, seek revenge, and simply wag our
fingers in disgust. God as opposite is not like us. Rather we are invited to take
on more and more of the character of our God. In that, we are becoming new each
day.
O God of love and new life, keep us mindful of your gracious Reign as we go off
and think that there is life in other places. Amen.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for June 24, 2013
This week: God as opposite. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]It just seems as though as we walk our way through Scripture and the life of God's
people through the generations, we have a tendency to move away from the peaceable
Reign of God. God as opposite is the God that is not ruled by our wants and desires
and expectations. God as opposite is God with us - and yet the God who keeps calling
us to move in a new way - walk along a new path - let go of all the ways we tend
to go each day. Maybe it is that we are opposite of our God. Then again, to see
God as opposite we must come to the realization that the God to whom offer praise
and thanksgiving is the God who goes 'that' way. So we are always being drawn into
question. If God goes that way and bids us to go that way, why is it that we continue
to live in quite a different way. I imagine that God as opposite does quite a bit
of smiling. It is that smile that a parent will make when a toddler is going off
in a direction they have been told (many times) was not a good way to go.
O God of love and new life, keep the light shining for we know all too well that
we are a people who easily get lost in our own stuff and go off in ways that are
contrary to your way of peace. Amen.
people through the generations, we have a tendency to move away from the peaceable
Reign of God. God as opposite is the God that is not ruled by our wants and desires
and expectations. God as opposite is God with us - and yet the God who keeps calling
us to move in a new way - walk along a new path - let go of all the ways we tend
to go each day. Maybe it is that we are opposite of our God. Then again, to see
God as opposite we must come to the realization that the God to whom offer praise
and thanksgiving is the God who goes 'that' way. So we are always being drawn into
question. If God goes that way and bids us to go that way, why is it that we continue
to live in quite a different way. I imagine that God as opposite does quite a bit
of smiling. It is that smile that a parent will make when a toddler is going off
in a direction they have been told (many times) was not a good way to go.
O God of love and new life, keep the light shining for we know all too well that
we are a people who easily get lost in our own stuff and go off in ways that are
contrary to your way of peace. Amen.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for June 21, 2013
This week: God as lavish. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]I was about to write it is Friday and therefore the last reflection on God as lavish.
But that is so wrong. Even when there is no reflection on God's lavish love and
mercy and compassion and forgiveness - God remain just that God. No matter when
the end seems to be at hand God as lavish brings opportunities for new life. For
some that may be an unending sense of comfort - even in the face of death or great
loss. God as lavish is a presence that will take us home - all the way - without
any doubt - without any need to perform. I find that it is not always easy to see
or hear that constant word of new life. There are so many other voices that grab
me and so many voices I let grab me. And then in the middle of all those voices
is the persistent One. God as lavish may simply be that by-our-side, never-let-us-go,
always-and through all things place of rest that never fades out of the picture.
So, it is the end - really. Just wait.
O God of love and new life, in the valley of the shadow of death you invite us to
eat drink and be merry when we are being convinced by the powers around us that
we need to give up. Blessed are you O God of the lavish picnic of life that is set
up in the face of all that may threaten us. Amen.
But that is so wrong. Even when there is no reflection on God's lavish love and
mercy and compassion and forgiveness - God remain just that God. No matter when
the end seems to be at hand God as lavish brings opportunities for new life. For
some that may be an unending sense of comfort - even in the face of death or great
loss. God as lavish is a presence that will take us home - all the way - without
any doubt - without any need to perform. I find that it is not always easy to see
or hear that constant word of new life. There are so many other voices that grab
me and so many voices I let grab me. And then in the middle of all those voices
is the persistent One. God as lavish may simply be that by-our-side, never-let-us-go,
always-and through all things place of rest that never fades out of the picture.
So, it is the end - really. Just wait.
O God of love and new life, in the valley of the shadow of death you invite us to
eat drink and be merry when we are being convinced by the powers around us that
we need to give up. Blessed are you O God of the lavish picnic of life that is set
up in the face of all that may threaten us. Amen.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Redeemer Devotions for June 20, 2013
This week: God as lavish. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]So often in gift giving I will go with what I can afford. Sometimes that may mean
I go a step below what would really be wild and extravagant. God as lavish goes
all the way. Even in a statement like "I will be with you till the end of time."
Really?! I find that to be lavish action. This means in and through all the times
when no one will stand with me and the times when I really deserve no one to stand
with me because I am knot-head. And yet, God as lavish remains and keep pulling
me into a life in which I will see how wild and extravagant I can be - with my loving
- my giving - my presence - my vulnerability - my availability. This life is not
lived in order to have this lavish God give me more. Rather it is in response to
God as lavish - God as fully available beyond expectations - God as foolishly present
even when it means facing something like the cross for being unconditionally with
us. That is God as lavish - I can only imagine that kind of God - that is why I
sometimes need foolish stories from Scripture and parables and simple actions like
Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
O God of love and new life, as you remain with us and for us continue to inspire
us to walk within your image of grand hospitality. Amen.
I go a step below what would really be wild and extravagant. God as lavish goes
all the way. Even in a statement like "I will be with you till the end of time."
Really?! I find that to be lavish action. This means in and through all the times
when no one will stand with me and the times when I really deserve no one to stand
with me because I am knot-head. And yet, God as lavish remains and keep pulling
me into a life in which I will see how wild and extravagant I can be - with my loving
- my giving - my presence - my vulnerability - my availability. This life is not
lived in order to have this lavish God give me more. Rather it is in response to
God as lavish - God as fully available beyond expectations - God as foolishly present
even when it means facing something like the cross for being unconditionally with
us. That is God as lavish - I can only imagine that kind of God - that is why I
sometimes need foolish stories from Scripture and parables and simple actions like
Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
O God of love and new life, as you remain with us and for us continue to inspire
us to walk within your image of grand hospitality. Amen.
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