Blog
Executive Power
Jacob dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And [God] said, “The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring, and all the earth shall be blessed in you.” – Genesis 28:12-14 excerpted (NRSV)
Chosenness is a powerful drug. That special status of being picked out from all the others. That inner pride of being selected, set apart, anointed, elevated. That glow of an exclusive title alongside your name, or a bonus in your paycheck, or a blessing to pave your way forward.
Chosenness-by-election can convince a leader’s ego that every word they utter is gospel truth, every insight is unassailable. Chosenness-by-public-acclaim can persuade an influencer’s vanity that their talent is singular and self-made.
Even (especially) chosenness-by-God can deliver a heavy dose of self-righteousness that topples the ego under the weight of perceived exceptionality. A divine dream, a holy voice, a cascade of angels, a mystical omen—and suddenly no one on earth can tell you otherwise. Your anointing is exempt from critique.
Like Jacob, after his dream of God’s blessing, operating as though all the world is his to own and manage: from the shepherdess Rachel and her sheep at the well, to her sister and their maids, from all the strongest breeders in his uncle’s flocks, to his brother’s full forgiveness (without Jacob conceding an inch of inheritance) …
… until a second holy encounter redefines Jacob’s understanding of his chosenness. A divine wrestling match revises the divine right that Jacob thought was untouchable. God puts Jacob’s ego in its place by renaming Jacob according to his struggles, not his ambitions. His sacred dependence, not his sacrosanct autonomy.
God prescribes a new purpose for Jacob, as only the One with truly executive authority can.
Prayer: Let me not weigh down your crown of life with the jewels of my pride, O Holy One. Let me not be so slick with your anointing that I cannot receive another’s insight and companionship.
cross-posted with the UCC Daily Devotional
One More Thing
Finally, siblings, farewell. Be restored; listen to my appeal; agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. – 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (NRSVUE, adapted)
When’s the last time you departed from a friend, saying “Bye!” … and “Bye” was really the last word spoken as you left? There’s always one more thing to say, isn’t there?
“Bye, take care! Love you! Great to be with you! Feel better! Give my love to your mom! Have a great vacation! See you again next Tuesday!”
I have a theory: It’s not politeness that keeps us from leaving with only a “goodbye,” is if we find goodbyes to be rudely abrupt, but rather it’s love that keeps us still talking and adding one more thing to our farewell.
“Farewell,” Paul ends his letter to the Corinthians … and then he adds one (or three or eight) more things: “I believe y’all will be able to find your community spirit again! Just keep focusing on love. Find the peace of patience. Be generous in coming together—don’t stay at arm’s length just because you have disagreements. Be satisfied by the holy gifts of grace and love and fellowship. God be with you! Christ be with you! Spirit be with you!”
Extended farewells prove the exception to “less is more.” There’s always “more” where love is concerned. More to say. More to do. More to remember. More to grow.
Not in an obligatory way, but in a cup-runneth-over way. In an endless-wellspring way. In an unmeasured, unselfish way.
In a Holy Trinity way, with no shortage of expressions and permutations to convey, “I love you.” In fire and spirit. In mercy and flesh. In creation and mystery.
Prayer: Just one more thing, God…
cross-posted with the UCC Daily Devotional
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O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1, NRSV) My childhood home in rural Pennsylvania had a mountain spring as its sole water source when I was growing...
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O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right; who do not slander with their tongue, and stand by their oath. Those who do these things shall never be moved. - Psalm 15, excerpts (NRSV) I made a...
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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...
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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...
My Deliverer Is Coming
The angel of the Lord appeared to the [wife of Manoah] and said to her, “You shall conceive and bear a son. It is he who shall begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” - Judges 13:3-5, excerpted (NRSV) We all long for a deliverer, at least once in a...
The Mess of Money
Hear this, you that trample on the needy, saying, “When will the sabbath be over so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit by selling the sweepings of the wheat.” The Lord will turn your feasts into...
About Those Christmas Lights
Thus says the Lord: Again you shall take your tambourines, and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit. - Jeremiah 31:2a, 4b-5 (NRSV) I love Christmas...
