Lent 2: Go in Faith

During Lent, we are looking at the Book of Ruth and some of the Sunday readings (RCL) to see what insights they can give us for living the Way of Love. Last week, we saw that what the world calls “rest” is nothing like God’s Rest. This week, we consider the imperative to Go.

Naomi, now a destitute widow, decides to ‘return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had had consideration for his people and given them food.’ (Ruth 1:6)

She is setting out on a hazardous journey in the hope of finding a better life, or at least hoping to die at home. When you have nothing to lose, it can be easier to just Go. We hear stories all the time of women and men, at the end of their rope, who started some new business or turned their lives around in some fantastic way. There are examples of this in the Bible, too.

In the Old Testament reading (Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18) this week, we hear of God reiterating, again, his promise to Abram. “The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Abram is not convinced, pointing out that he has no child to inherit all that he has. God insists, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” Then God and Abram enact a covenant ceremony with ‘a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.’ Only then does Abram accept the promise.

Ruth and her family had inhabited that ‘Promised Land’ along with the other Children of Israel after the Exodus. Then, as we saw last time, they left. Now it is time for her to get up, leave Moab, and Go. It is time to return to that homeland. For things to change, we sometimes must take the first step. Perhaps like Naomi, we learn of an opportunity. She “had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had had consideration for his people and given them food.” The famine has ended, and she decides to return to Bethlehem.

Sometimes we find ourselves rather adrift in our lives. There is no clear sign, no obvious promise of what will happen. We don’t really know where God is calling us to Go. Psalm 27 provides guidance about discerning the next step. It’s all about trusting God. The Psalmist pleads, “Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.” God’s answer is simple. ”Seek my face.” And the Psalmist responds, “Your face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure. You have been my helper; cast me not away; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.” (Psalm 27:10-13)

Like Naomi, we may respond, “Show me your way, O Lord; lead me on a level path…What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! O tarry and await the Lord's pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:15, 17-18)

We should look for God before we Go anywhere. God promises that ‘all things work for good for those who love God’ (Romans 8:28) We have to step out in faith, and part of that faith is knowing that God is right there with us. 

Ann Voskamp, author and blogger, offers a series of Lent daily words. On March 11, she reminded readers that we must ‘Give up trying to be enough and simply give everything to Him who makes little loaves, little people, little hope into more than enough.

Naomi had little hope. We know from the Book of Ruth that God abundantly multiplied and blessed that hope. Abram also had little hope for an heir. Yet, God promises ‘your reward shall be very great’. Abram accepted God’s assurance that he would have heirs. Naomi stepped out in faith believing that there would be a better life back in Bethlehem. The Psalmist turns to God, expecting help and protection. Each of them Go in faith. They take a step and then another one. That's how journeys start.

As Ann Voskamp says, we can ‘Give up everything to Him who can make little things of little hope into more than enough’. We can Go. We can believe God will fulfill ‘the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Where is God asking you to Go?

Have you, like Abram and the Psalmist, confronted God about how you should Go forward?

What are the plans God is working to prosper in you?

Epiphany: Pray

In this Epiphany series we are looking at the disciplines of the Episcopal Church’s Way of Love, as part of the Jesus Movement. This is “an intentional commitment to a set of practices. It's a commitment to follow Jesus: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest.” In Advent, we followed the Advent curriculum, modified into weekly planner pages. Since January 6, we’ve looked at the practices of ‘Go’, ‘Learn’, ‘Bless’. Last week we considered how Jesus joined in the Worship of his community when he returned to Nazareth.

Today, we continue in that same chapter (Luke 4:21-30), as Jesus elaborates on his announcement that Isaiah 61 had ‘been fulfilled in your hearing’. At first, “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.” Then, he acknowledges that it is difficult to be accepted by those who think they know you. He says, “’Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'" And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown.’”

Then he goes on to remind the people of Nazareth of prophetic responses to two Gentiles who Pray and are blessed by God. He states, “there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah…yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.” (1 Kings 17:8-24) Jesus notes that the leper cleansed by Elisha was ‘Naaman the Syrian.’ (2 Kings 5:1-19)

Is it that this young man that they all know as ‘Joseph’s son’ is claiming to be like Elijah and Elisha, revered prophets from Israel’s past? Or is it that he says that God cares for Gentiles just as much as the chosen Hebrew ‘children of God’? For whatever reason, “When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.”

Nazareth is built up the side of a hill, as seen in this Byzantine mosaic from the Chora Church in Constantinople. The attempt to ‘hurl him off the cliff’ is not an empty threat. However, he ‘he passed through the midst of them and went on his way’. In the hubbub of the mob scene, Jesus simply walks away. No fighting back, or engaging in further arguments, Jesus simply leaves.

Perhaps it was that he was grounding in prayer that enabled Jesus to face such conflict without the need to become part of it. Perhaps it was that he had just faced down Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13) through the power of prayer.

When we Pray, we too can respond differently to the challenges in our lives. We don’t feel the need to control the outcome or make it come out 'our way'. When we ‘take it to the Lord in prayer’, as the song Whata Friend we Have in Jesus advises, we can face the 'trials and temptations...trouble anywhere." The song proclaims, "We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer."

We don't have to pretend to be 'perfect'. As Lisa Leonard notes on Ann Voskamp’s blog from earlier this week, “Perfection is a lie. It demands more and more, never offering a moment’s rest. Perfect is never satisfied." She admits, "I kept reaching further and further, thinking I was almost there, but perfection was always just out of reach. No matter how hard I tried, I could not be perfect. I can’t always be happy. I am not perfect; I am just me. I’m learning I have to let go of perfection to have joy. I am learning I have to show up and speak up and be honest—no matter how messy.” 

I have a friend whose favorite saying when things get crazy is, "Show up, pay attention, tell the truth, and don't get attached to the results." That's what happens when we Pray and turn problems over to God. We can be honest, and not think we have to control the end result. 

When we Pray God sees the real person. God knows we are not perfect. We don’t have to, and can’t, pretend with God. We can, as Leonard, and my friend both encourage: show up, be truthful and honest—'no matter how messy’, and let God take care of the result. 

When we are connected to God in prayer, we know we are loved no matter what happens, or what we do. In fact, we don’t even have to ‘do’ anything except ‘take it to the Lord in prayer’. The song reminds us “O what peace we often forfeit,/ O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry/ Everything to God in prayer.”

Jesus was connected to God in prayer. It gave him strength and peace and confidence. When we Pray and connect to God, we discover, ‘Jesus knows our every weakness…In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,/ Thou wilt find a solace there.’

Jesus told the people of Nazareth that God responds to all prayer requests no matter who they come from. That made him very unpopular, but it tells us that God does hear our prayers! Later in the same Gospel (Luke 18:1), Jesus “told his disciples a parable [about the insistent widow and reluctant judge] to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” We can find courage in that story and in Jesus’ own life of prayer.

Are there things you need to Pray about, or let God take care of?

Can you let go of perfection and control in order to ‘take it to the Lord in prayer’?

How can you be more honest with God in your prayer life?

Pentecost: Ordinary Women: Judith

In this series, we’ve been looking at women, who made a difference in the world because they said ‘yes’ to God. Another woman from the Biblical record who, though ordinary, reacted in an extra ordinary way is Judith. Her story is found in the Apocrypha in the book that bears her name.  She was one of the women we studied at the August women’s retreat.

The Apocrypha is books that didn’t make it into the “canon”-the list of books chosen to go into the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Fourteen of these books are found in the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament. This was the translation done by 70 Jewish scholars in the 2^nd and 3^rd Centuries BCE. The Roman Catholic church calls these books deuterocanonical (or second canon) and includes them in translations of the Bible like the Jerusalem Bible. Most Protestant churches do not include these books at all, except in a separate section or separate book. The books in the Apocrypha, in general, cover stories in the time between the end of the Old Testament and the start of the New Testament. There are stories of the Maccabees who reestablished the independence of Israel and formed the Hasmonean dynasty, from which the Herods of the New Testament were descended. Additions to the Book of Esther and Daniel are also in the apocryphal books, as are some other assorted stories, including the Book of Judith.

The basic story is that Judith, whose husband has been killed by the Assyrians, goes to the Assyrian camp with her maid. She pretends to be an informant, gaining the trust of General Holofernes. Then one night, as he lies drunk, she beheads him. Her action demoralizes the army who retreats from Israel. Meanwhile, Judith returns home with the head of Holofernes to prove that God has saved them by her hand. The Book of Judith records that she was courted by many men, but chose to remain single.

It is unlikely that Judith was a real person, although some writers try to identify Judith with some historic female leader like Queen Salome Alexandra who was the only female queen of Judea, and last ruler of the independent nation. (76-67 BCE)

Throughout history, Judith has been depicted in art, like this image of Judith with the Head of Holophernes by Christofano Allori from 1613. I saw a special exhibit at the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas a couple years ago,  featuring the story of her life, which was quite impressive although I don't recall the artist's name. (The museum also has a wonderful Via Dolorosa sculpture garden, works by Ron DiCianni, and art pieces created from weapons of war.)

Even if she was never a real live woman, Judith can teach us about courage and acting to rectify injustice. We may not want to cut off someone’s head, but we can speak out against evil. We may not have to pretend to be a traitor, but we can confront wrong.

Some might say that Judith was ‘over the top’ in her actions. As women, we are often urged to not be outspoken or take a stand. AnnVoskamp advises, “Don’t take it down a few notches. Take risks — and take all of you to the table. It can feel terrifying — but it is far more terrifying to live anything less than being fully seen…

Because the world’s much too apathetic, the world needs how you ferociously feel much. Because the world’s much too distant and indifferent, the world needs how you passionately and compassionately give much of your attentive soul. Because the world has lost much of its heart, the world needs more of us to come with so much of our heart instead of so little. And it’s better to feel much than to feel much of nothing at all. It’s better to love with your whole broken heart than to love anything half-heartedly. Those who are told they are too much — are those who awaken the world in much needed ways.”

Is there something that you think needs to change? Maybe God is calling you to take a stand.

Are you willing to take risks and give more of your heart to ‘awaken the world’?

Journey to Bethlehem: At the Manger

On December 24, there are celebrations of all kinds in Christian churches around the world. From the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem itself to tiny congregations of only a few people, the birth of Jesus is celebrated with the words from Luke. “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Over the past 3 weeks, we’ve journeyed with Mary and Joseph from Nazareth, along the Jordan River Valley to Bethlehem. It has been a time to look at what we bring to the journey and what we might be better off leaving behind. The road of life is never as smooth as we might wish. In fact, it is often more like a labyrinth with twists and turns rather than a straight path.

Last week, we paused to be with Mary and Joseph as they arrived in the bustle of Bethlehem and looked for a place to stay. Now, we come to the manger and sit in awe of God’s gift of Love. As Ann Voskamp wrote on Dec. 18 “Christ doesn’t reveal the outcome of what we face, but He reveals to us His Face. This is the gift of Christmas that flickers in the pitch black…Advent means that we meet whatever comes to us — with this brazen belief that it is Love that Comes Down…[Do we prepare for Christmas] by readying the heart to receive the gift of every moment — no matter what the moment unexpectedly holds — as a gift of His love?...No matter the barrenness you feel, you can always have as much Jesus as you want.”

We’ve journeyed with Mary and Joseph and maybe considered our life’s labyrinth this Advent. The truth we believe and live is “the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. (John 1:14 New Living Translation)

Now we come to the manger to welcome the Holy Child. What is your response to the ‘love come down at Christmas’? What do you bring to the manger?

As Christina Rossetti wrote in her famous poem My Gift:

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part,--
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

Perhaps in 2018 we'll give more of our heart to Christ Incarnate in the world around us and in the people we meet. Perhaps in that way we can give a glimpse to the hurting world that 'Love HAS come down'. 
A new series starts in 2018. See you then.

Proclaim...the Lord's Favor

Isaiah 61:1 says “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me…” God promises we are filled with the Spirit and anointed to do the work of God. How do we start? Where do we start? Isaiah says we are “to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…” We might say then ‘What can we do?’ The problems of the world seem daunting.

Jesus uses this verse as his mission statement for ministry in Luke 4:18. A few chapters later, John the Baptist sends some of his followers to ask “are you the one who is to come” and Jesus “replied to the messengers, ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.’” (Luke 7:22) Those held captive by disabilities and circumstances are being freed from those disabilities and circumstances. Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians refers to this, “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) Paul is referring to Isaiah 49:8 when God announces favor and restoration. He goes further to state that ‘NOW is the time of God’s favor’ and ‘NOW is the day of salvation’.

What is God’s ‘favor’? The definition of the word says it is an attitude of approval, support, an act of kindness beyond what is deserved. God’s favor is God’s grace seen and lived in Jesus Christ and given to us in the Spirit of the Living God. Like these birthday roses, God's favor is a beautiful and unexpected, even unmerited gift. God’s Kingdom is present in and among us and it is up to us to proclaim, tell, and demonstrate that God’s  favor has come.

Ann Voskamp challenges us to be People of the Word who are “for the voiceless, to stand with the silenced, to never make pain out to be invisible, as injustice is intolerable…so the hope of the Gospel can be of use anywhere it goes.” We are “People of the Cross…witnesses for the suffering, and responders to the victims, and testifiers of Truth, no matter the cost, no matter the risk, because Christ is The Truth — and where there isn’t Truth, there isn’t Christ. Why ever hide or cover-up the Truth?” That seems like a big challenge, but Voskamp reminds us “the mercies of God never fail and His mercy envelopes your every thrumming thought and begging pulse… Mercy is God making Himself your all encompassing safe place — so you can grow...Mercy is what begs us to be mercifully safe places for the suffering and victimized and abused and all the broken in our families, our communities, our churches, in our aching, breaking world, — so every soul can enlarge and grow strong.” When we stand up for those who cannot defend themselves we ” proclaim liberty to the captives… [and] the year of the Lord’s favor.” Further, as Voskamp notes, “The Gospel always releases any need of covering up and makes a place for standing up and opening up…The Gospel always cups your face in the midst of your worst suffering — and offers you the cup of communion through your worst suffering.”

God’s Kingdom comes when we LIVE our faith. And we do this little by little, day by day. The song Thrive* by Casting Crowns says that “in this worn and weary land… we're reaching out To show them who You are” so that all can know the “Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible” found in the Good News of “living water flowing through… and flood our souls With one desire…” We are, as Voskamp says, People of the Word. We have met the Holy One and must desire to share the Love we found.

What can you do today to stand in the strength of God as People of the Word and proclaim freedom? How can you show the Joy, Faith, and Love of our God to someone who is lonely, hurting, broken? When can you offer God’s favor and grace to a hurting soul? Where can you help someone learn to ‘Thrive’ in God’s grace?

*Thrive by Casting Crowns 

Here in this worn and weary land
Where many a dream has died
Like a tree planted by the water
We never will run dry

So living water flowing through
God we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls
With one desire

Just to know You and
To make You known
We lift Your name on High
Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

Into Your word we're digging deep
To know our Father's heart
Into the world we're reaching out
To show them who You are

So living water flowing through
God we thirst for more of You
Fill our hearts and flood our souls
With one desire

Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible
Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible
Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible
Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible 

Hey! We were made to Thrive