Blog
Naked Rocks and Other Good News
Look to the rock from which you were hewn. Look to Abraham, who was one but I made him many. Look to Sarah, who was thirsty but I made her an oasis. Before you cower in fear of others’ disappointment, before you hang your head in doubt, look to the moths that will devour pride like garments and the worms that will consume judgment like wool. (adapted from Isaiah 51:1b-3, 7-8)
Insecurity: thy name is Abraham, fretting over his legacy.
Cynicism: thy name is Sarah, doubting all hope and possibility.
Who would you prefer to be, Insecurity? A man basking in billions? A prince defending his throne? A god directing heaven’s chariots? What guarantee of tribute would be sufficient? What pedestal of acclaim would be enough? How thick a garment of pride must you wear to be warm?
And if you fall short of the highest glories, if your name does not echo forever among the mountains, how will you know it from your grave?
My dear Cynicism, what defeat are you imagining? The unchanged status quo? The demise of all things good? The triumph of self-interest? What proof of joy can relieve your fear? What evidence of renewal can bring you peace? Is the daily rising of the sun not enough? Is the wool over your eyes too tight for you to peek at grace?
And if tomorrow you are disappointed yet again by the wonders and miracles around you, if they do not pass your judgment, will you be any less alive?
Look to the rock from which life was hewn, O Insecurity. Look to the dirt into which love was breathed, O Cynicism. Are they clothed in pride or wrapped in doubt? And yet the bare rock became a foundation, and the musty earth bore new life.
Prayer: Forgive me, O God, for clinging so tightly to what does not matter and for giving up so quickly on what does.
cross-posted with the UCC Daily Devotional
Telling Time
Is it time to pray again?
Is it time to march again?
Is it once again time to grieve, time to rage, time to resist?
Is it ever not?
So long as we have breath, it is time.
Not because there is a cause.
Not because there is a moment.
Not because it’s never been like this, or it’s worse now, or it’s a critical tipping point.
Because we are part of all life.
Because we have this breath.
The big hand always points to kinship.
The little hand to humility, love, wonder.
Take away the hands and the face of the clock will still tell the time: mercy.
The sin is losing track of time.
The sin is forgetting we breathe.
Reminders
“When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between [me] and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” - Genesis 9:16 (NRSV) The world needs more reminders. Guns need not just one safety lock but five safety...
The Breaks
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, so far from the words of my groaning? Yet you are holy … and sovereignty belongs to you, the ruler over all the earth. All families and all nations worship before you; all who sleep in the...
Going to Battle
King Neco of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish, and Josiah went out against him. But Neco sent envoys to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I am not coming out against you today. Cease opposing God, who is with me, so that he will not destroy...
Whose Glory?
Deborah, a prophetess, used to sit under a palm in the hill country of Ephraim. She summoned Barak and said to him, “The God of Israel commands you, ‘Go, take position at Mount Tabor; I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you with his chariots...
Praise
Praise the Lord! Praise God, sun and moon; praise God, all you shining stars! Praise God from the earth, you sea monsters and creatures of the depths, you fire and hail, snow and frost! (Psalm 148:1-2 & 7-8, NRSV adapted) What makes the T-Rex dinosaur a scientific...
Bad News
The spirit of the Holy One is upon me, because the One has anointed me and sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of divine favor, and the day...
Advent’s Harvest
Where the ground is frozen, raspberries will ripen. Where the street is empty, dancers will parade. Where the embers are cold, a phoenix will soar. Where hope's heart is broken, compassion will bloom. on Jeremiah 33:10-11
Let It Count
Let it count in our favor, O God, that it's been a rough year. Let it be to our credit, O God, that we can still find a prayer— or at least a swear in your direction, which should also count. Put a "plus" in our column, O God, for all the strikes against us. Let it...
About Those Chickens
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for God gives sleep to those who are...
