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
Many Miracles
The crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard [the disciples] speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ... [Yet] in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s...
Faith-in-Flesh
Evil is well worth our anger, our outrage, our fury, our deep indignation. Violence too is a worthy recipient of our defensiveness, our horror, our disquiet, even our fear. To rage against the injustices of the world is an appropriate response of Christian faith. And...
Recognition
On that same day, two disciples were going to a village called Emmaus and talking with each other about all that had happened. While they were discussing these events, Jesus came and walked with them, but they didn't recognize him. He asked what they were discussing,...
Before I Go through the Gate
Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. - Psalm 118:19 (NRSV) I did not grow up in a “come forward” church. Our weekly worship did not include a routine in which people came from their seats to the front of...
The Problem with Kings
Abimelech, son of Gideon and of the enslaved woman from the Bent Place (where Joseph was buried), suggested to his mother's people that they might support his campaign to be king. His mother's people proposed this idea to the landholders of the Bent Place, and all...
Outcry
The One Who Is & Shall Be said to Abraham: "I am sending angels to the place of Violent Fire, to assess the veracity of the people's cries against it. If their cries are true, I will destroy it." Abraham pleaded: "Surely you have more integrity than those who are...
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...
