A Heart Like Mary

It’s hard to think of the nativity without thinking about Mary. Over the past month I’ve reflected on Mary’s posture of obedience, worship, and welcome. Today I’m thinking about her posture of sacrifice. No mother wants to outlive her child or see them suffer.

We know the whole story, a story Mary could only guess at. It begins in Bethlehem with a mother’s welcoming arms, under an earthly father’s protective eye, with the proclamation of angels and welcome of shepherds. It ends with the baby grown up and hanging on a cross outside of Jerusalem. His mother still nearby, but out of arms reach. His disciples scattered like sheep.

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

John 19:25-27

As a mother it’s hard to think about the pain Mary endured seeing her son mocked and suffering, unable to comfort him or stop it. Some of Jesus’ last words were instructions for the care of his mother. She was with him at the beginning and with him at the end. It must have cost her a great deal to love her son, and then release him to his destiny. We don’t have any reason to think she tried to stand in his way. She let Jesus be Jesus.

It’s easy to think of a cozy stable and sweet family at this time of year and forget all of the sacrifices involved in the advent. Jesus sacrificed his privileged, eternal position and power, limiting himself to life as a human. Mary sacrificed her comfort, reputation, and her heart. Everyone who encountered Jesus, and were faced with the decision of embracing him as the God/man, faced their own sacrifice, whether it be reputation, comfort, change of career, humility, financial loss, or loss of family. To love is to risk.

Mary unflinchingly leads the way. From the first moment she responded in obedient submission and embraced the sacrifice that would mark her journey. If she could have known how painful it would have been, would she have responded without hesitation? Often it’s a mercy not to see the end at the beginning. Each step of faith is enough, met with power and grace from our generous God.

We have the same invitation set before us. The baby has come, he grew up, sacrificed his life as a ransom for us all, rose to take his position of authority over all created things, and invites us to lay everything down to embrace him. Will we? Sacrifice will be involved; death to pride, trusting God with what we treasure most, acknowledging his authority, embracing humility, facing misunderstanding, walking out of step with this world and in step with his kingdom.

But the sacrifice is worth it. The Bible doesn’t record a post-resurrection meeting between Jesus and his mother, but it does say that he appeared to over five hundred of his followers at different times. (1 Corinthians 15:5-7, John 21:14, Mark 16:12-14, Acts 1:3) Considering her position and presence among his followers throughout the gospels I can only imagine that Jesus certainly appeared to his mother. What must she have felt? Her obedience and worship, trust and sacrifice had paid off! Her son was alive! Not only that, he had purchased life for the whole world.

Are we willing to obey like Mary? To worship, welcome others in, and sacrifice like Mary did? We may not see the fruit of our obedience right away, but the testimony of Mary and Jesus’ followers give us hope and courage that our sacrifice will be rewarded. We will experience life, whole and restored, and shared with Jesus himself.

 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:30-31

What are we willing to lay down, for Jesus’ sake, in order to embrace all he has for us?

A Warm Welcome

This advent season I’ve been reflecting on Mary’s posture of receiving and praise. Today I’m thinking about the way God positioned her to welcome.

I vividly remember the experience of becoming a mother for the first time. The hours and days after I had delivered our son were so sweet. I loved introducing him to the dear friends who came to the hospital. The day after he was born was a Sunday. I was glad of the quiet while everyone was at church to take time to study his tiny face, pray, and rest.

I can’t imagine how I would have felt if strangers had come to my hospital room or house to see my infant son! But that’s what happened to Mary. Shepherds came with an audacious story, wanting to see the Savior. Although after all that had happened and the angelic encounters she was probably surprised by very little anymore!

Once the shepherds had seen Jesus they told more people, who may also have wanted to see him for themselves. Later she had foreign visitors show up unannounced. Even Anna and Simeon wanted to hold and prophesy over her baby.

What was Mary’s response? The Bible doesn’t say explicitly, but given her initial answer to Gabriel’s announcement and her song of praise, we can imagine she took these visits in stride. Mary understood that Jesus was for everyone. She contemplated what was happening around her, but she didn’t stand in its way.

 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

Luke 2:19

Mary understood God had a plan of redemption that centered on Jesus and included her. She didn’t protect her child from the shepherds, wealthy easterners, or old sages. She gave them access to their Savior, recognizing her role was to deliver him and then trust God.

Do we allow the people around us access to Jesus? Strangers, rich, poor, old, young? They may show up in our lives at inconvenient times or be unconventional seekers, but if Mary could welcome strangers and give them access to her child, so can we. Keeping Jesus tucked securely away, a private treasure to guard, ignores his purpose. He was born to be shared.

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about”… When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” 

Luke 2:15,17-18

Who are you welcoming into your life so that they can see Jesus?

Bring Him Praise

Last week I wrote about making space to receive Jesus as Mary did. The result of preparing room for Jesus, welcoming him to dwell with us, is praise.

After finding out that she, and her cousin Elizabeth, were both miraculously pregnant, Mary took off to see her cousin. When she arrived at Elizabeth’s door the Holy Spirit moved. Elizabeth blessed Mary, extolling her belief. Mary burst into worshipful song. Both women were overcome by the goodness of God.

“My soul glorifies the Lord
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.

Luke 1:47-48

Mary sings a song of worship, praising God’s goodness and mercy. Her song is rich with the nature and purposes of God. I wonder if Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth for the same reason unmarried pregnant young women usually “go visit their aunt.” Her pregnancy was a source of confusion and embarrassment to her family and maybe even her whole town. Her relationship with Joseph had been through a rough patch.

Her circumstances, humanly speaking, were not ideal. Yet Mary erupts into praise. Theologically rich praise. Strong and deep. It appears the Holy Spirit had given her the ability to see the scope of God’s work, in her life, and in the world.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

Luke 1:50-51

Regardless of her circumstances Mary understands Jesus’ superior worth and God’s goodness. She chooses to worship him. We have the same opportunity. Life may be great or we may have struggles and hardship, but when we’ve made space for Jesus to live in us through his Spirit, we have reason to praise. God has “extended mercy, and performed mighty deeds.” We can trust him. Just like Mary, no matter the situation, we can, and should, erupt into worship.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How are you worshipping God in this season?

Prepare him room

This Advent season I’m thinking about Mary. I want to learn from her how to receive, worship, welcome, and release. Mary’s posture is an advent posture, welcoming, open, submitted.

Gabriel told Mary extraordinary news. Good news, but inconvenient. Life up ending. She humbly received. She was open, obedient, and trusting. I can only imagine her posture came from a deeply rooted trust in God. She was familiar with his nature so she could receive what seemed outlandish.

Mary was just the first of many that God would ask to make room for him, to receive him, to have their life up ended by him. Her example is worth noting and following. Simple questions, simple trust. She may have been afraid to tell her family and Joseph that she was about to be an unwed mother, who had not dishonored Joseph. Would they believe her? I imagine she had questions. Confusion and concern are normal when God asks us to make space for him. But she didn’t have to have all the answers to say yes. Neither do we.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38

In verse 35 of Luke 1 the angel told Mary that the Holy Spirit would come on her and the Most High overshadow her and the Son of God would be birthed through her. What a privilege. In reality it’s the same one offered to us today. God is offering the same invitation. Trinity living. If we welcome him the Holy Spirit will come on us, the Father overshadow us, and Jesus be born in our lives. Spiritually speaking we can be as pregnant with Jesus as Mary was. Full of his nature allowing his character to develop in us. It’s quite an invitation.

Like Mary we have to make space, prepare room, host the presence of God in our lives. When we embrace a Mary posture, “I am the Lord’s servant,” God gets to work in us and overshadows our lives with himself. It’s an astonishing, sometimes misunderstood, life changing, and precious work.

Will we, like Mary, receive?

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6

What does receiving Jesus look like for you in this season?

Leaders of Lament

News broke today of at least 600 bodies of indigenous children discovered buried at the Marieval Indian Residential School in Canada, following the discovery of at least 215 bodies last month at another school in Kamloops. The finding is a gruesome reminder of the quiet suffering indigenous people in North America have endured over many decades. A painful reminder of the church’s culpability in forcing assimilation in the name of faith.

After a while it’s easy to feel numb to the story; a strong person, group, or society abuses and dominates a weaker person, group, or society. Nothing is new under the sun. When we hear of such injustices how do we respond? And by we I mean those of us who follow the Jesus way.

I think the answer is found in lament.

It is appropriate that governments, institutions, and individuals confess specific sins committed against people, families, and groups. But beyond that, in the larger community, when violations against humanity come to light, it is appropriate for us to raise our voices in corporate lament. The people of God should always lead the way – because we know the value of all human life created in the image of the God we worship and serve, because we know the way of grace and our own desperate need for it, because we love humility and the fruit of reconciliation it brings.

Today I had a tough conversation with my thirteen year old, unrelated to the news from Canada. She told me she wondered if she could believe in an all powerful God who would allow suffering and people to be so unkind to each other. I told her it was a good question. A question a God as big and just as I believe ours is, can handle. She is the reason we followers of Jesus should be the first to lament. Her cry is as old as humanity. Why God?

Lament is good for those suffering; being heard and believed is a step in the path of healing. Lament is good for those of us witnessing suffering; it keeps us tender and accountable. Lament is good for the next generation; full of questions, they need our example.

In the face of injustice no one wants pat answers. Not even God, if the book of Psalms, Job, and Lamentations are any indication. Lament is a posture. It wards off defensiveness, excuses, and tidy answers. It welcomes space for messy emotions, the process of healing, and the active presence of God.

Lament isn’t something we think or talk about often, but maybe it should be. Here are a few observations I have about lament.

• It is work. A few I’m sorry words aren’t going to cut it. As I said before it’s a posture that takes time to cultivate and intention to live out. Followers of Jesus should be in the practice of grieving sin and its affects on the world.

“Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

• It’s a season. It would be hard to live in lament all the time, constantly grieving. But there are appropriate seasons for grief and godly sorrow balanced, as we see in the Psalms, by times of joy.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5

• It is empowered by God. All humans have the capacity to feel sad and raise their voices over injustice. But I believe the truest and best lament happens when we ask God to give us a love for mercy and justice like his.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

It’s tempting to want to leave the past to the past, but when people today are living with consequences birthed from past actions, compassion insists we respond. A good place to start is with a listening and open heart. It’s the least we can give to people who have stories that need telling, and perhaps we can learn from history important lessons that will guide us in the future.

We can also commit our response to prayer. Asking the Holy Spirit to guide our response is a good way to align our hearts with God. He will show us where we need to repent, comfort, or reconcile. One of the things that endears Jesus to me most from his time on earth was his willingness to bend low and listen to the stories happening around him, to touch the people who were suffering, to cry with and comfort the grieving.

Let’s be like Jesus.

Even Now, Give Thanks

I have had a love hate relationship with 2020. Can we all agree it’s been a hard year? The pandemic, political strife, and natural disasters have shaped each of our lives in unique ways. Layer personal challenges on top of that and you have a recipe for stress.

Quarantine, online school, uncertainty, a tropical storm and loss of power, social turmoil, relationship challenges, toilet paper shortage, political angst, and now I’m ending this challenging year recovering from Covid. While it’s certainly been stressful, it’s also been good.

I wouldn’t trade the extra time I’ve had at home with my children. We’ve had sweet, important conversations, and been reminded of the value of rest.

As we round the corner, coming into the homestretch of this year, what’s bringing me the most comfort is the beautiful reminder of God’s presence with us in Jesus. 2020 has been rough, but it’s hardly been the world’s most difficult season. Humanity has survived a global flood, the bubonic plague, and World Wars. Jesus was born into a brutal Roman occupation. He didn’t shy away from joining us in a world full of uncertainty and pain. If he would choose to be born into a humble home and a world of political unrest, won’t he join me in my mess too?

I love that about Jesus. His willingness to be present. In our pain and joy, our mess and hope, our sin and humility. Sometimes I hesitate to step into the brokenness with others. He never does. Never.

If 2020 has flipped you on your head and you’re searching for things to give thanks for, may I encourage you to start with the beauty of Jesus, standing with you, present in each of your moments. It may be hard to see him there. But if we quiet our hearts and look for his goodness I think we’ll find it.

He [Jesus] was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.

Colossians 1:18-20 MSG

The entire first chapter of Colossians paints a sweeping view of Jesus, one of towering grandeur, intimate presence, sacrifice, authority, and hope that all will be made right in him. That’s the God who walks close to us through 2020, and all of our years. This year doesn’t contain us, Jesus does. And he has us on a course for wholeness and life.

As we pause to reflect and give thanks at this time of year why not take a moment to record what you’re thankful for. My family has been listing our blessings on a pumpkin this month. It’s been fun to see what the kids choose to write and how full our pumpkin is! Wonderful things like our dog, friends, toilet paper, chili cheese fries, and forgiveness! There’s something powerful about recording our thanks and seeing it listed. The exercise of giving thanks can flip our perspective and change our hearts.

At this time of thanksgiving I wish your families joy and pray Jesus’ comforting presence fills your heart!

If you’d like to share what you’re grateful for in the comments I’d love to celebrate with you!

Does Justice Matter?

What is justice and why is it so important?

That’s the question that’s been on my mind lately. For those of us who love Jesus the outrage and pain we see boiling over in the world around us should grab our attention. When seeking understanding it’s good to listen to a variety of voices and experiences, to history, and even to stories that make us uncomfortable. Ultimately we need to seek the meaning of justice in God’s word. What does justice mean to God?

I’ve always loved the beautiful passage found in Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

We love that verse, don’t we?! Simple, clear, lovely. It’s important to understand that these words ring out in direct contrast to the rest of Micah’s book.

In the first three chapters God’s anger at his people is poured out. He calls them out for their faithlessness. They’ve mixed their worship of him with the worship of other things. Idols yes, but also a commitment to their own comfort. However God’s disgust is just as harsh, maybe more so, over their injustice. He calls their leaders haters of good and lovers of evil because they oppress the weak, take advantage of widows, cheat, take bribes, lie, are violent, use people for their own gain. Equity, justice, cannot be found in Israel. God is angry, heart broken. 

The unjust rulers of Israel are warned they’re in for trouble. They will be conquered by a foreign power. Being carried off to a foreign country is more than punishment, though, God’s purpose is to refine them and make them the people they’re supposed to be. People who reflect his character. In chapter 5 we hear words of hope, the promise of the coming Peacemaker, the mighty ruler who will sit on David’s everlasting throne. The coming Messiah who will bless the entire world with his shepherd-leadership. God’s people had been short sighted but God hadn’t lost sight of his goal.

What is God’s goal?

“God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.”

Ephesians 1:9-11 sums up the plan of God in just a few verses. From Genesis to Revelation every single word of the bible points to one thing: Unity! The eternally existing, communal God had one purpose for creation, for everything and everyone to be united under his loving rule.

I don’t think it’s inconsequential that the last day of Jesus’ earthly life his prayer focus was for unity. He prayed in John 17 that,

“they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”

These words are explosive! Subversive! Revolutionary! They are the heart of the gospel. The gospel is the good news of oneness. An invitation to oneness with God and each other. If heaven is the presence of God, then hell is his absence. That is what he’s saving us to, his presence. The good news is that the Father loves us as much as he loves his Son! Wow!

So what does unity have to do with justice?

Justice is the pathway to unity. When the Israelites behaved unjustly God was furious. Not because he’s a vindictive God on an ego trip. But because they had risked and damaged the pathway to unity with God! Micah is a picture of God’s response to injustice because of his love. It’s a hint of his promised Savior to restore unity. And it’s a picture of what a unified creation can be.

Justice is at the heart of the gospel. If we, as God’s people, do not reflect his heart of justice then we stand in the way of the gospel.

Think of justice as a road. If the road is well paved, smooth, free of potholes and debri we can travel easily on it. But if the potholes of inequality, the roadblock of dishonesty, the looting of exploitation, the burden of perfection, the debri of indifference damages the road it becomes impassible. God takes unity seriously, and we should as well. Unity cannot exist where there is injustice, because then the God of the bible is not being worshipped, our own idols of pride and comfort are.

Justice matters because unity matters.

It’s in this context that the life giving words of Micah 6:8 ring out:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

In these verses he’s offering the pathway of salvation. Not a religious system. Not sacrifice or songs, gifts or traditions. Actions of justice and mercy, and a humble walk with God. Simple. Costly. Impossible. Unless we value unity with Jesus, through the power of his Spirit, as our prize. No idols of comfort, status, knowledge, or even good works.

In this moment of racial and economic inequality what does that mean for us? I believe it starts with seeing the entire scope of the Bible as an invitation to unity. It’s a generous offer we’ve been given but we have to let go of pride, success in this world, staking a claim on earthly territory. The world’s kingdom is incompatible with God’s kingdom. But what we gain! A place of belonging in the trinity and his family!

When we understand God’s kingdom women don’t need to seek equality with men; black people don’t need to settle for equality with white people; poor people won’t need to focus on the equality of wealth or education. Because unity with Jesus himself is on the table! Access to his heart, his resources, his power, his love, his name, his family! He legitimizes our very being. For believers in Jesus there is absolutely no room for racism, exploitation, or pride in that understanding. We can humbly stand side by side, maintaining the road of justice, in loving acts of service.

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

Let’s be the embodiment of Jesus!

 

Good Friday – An Invitation to Grieve Broken Unity

What was Jesus’ highest priority?

What is ours? Do they match?

Freedom, I would argue, may be our highest priority. But that wasn’t Jesus’. From what I can see in scripture unity was, and is, his highest value. Freedom, is just a tool.

We were made for God. Independence isn’t an option. We will give our allegiance to someone. Autonomy is an illusion.

God himself is a united being. Eternally one with himself. Such a strange concept! One I think the western church struggles to understand.

The unity of God is better illustrated on Good Friday than any other day. Jesus’ death was a brutal, bloody one, but people have died gory deaths since the beginning of time. Two people died alongside Jesus in the same manner that day. It wasn’t the horror of Jesus’ death that saved us, it was his separation from the Father.

For the first time in all of eternity God was separated from himself.

We focus on Jesus ‘personal sacrifice for me.’ But Jesus sacrifice wasn’t individualistic, it was communal. Jesus took his freedom and laid it on the altar of obedience to his Father, in service to his brothers and sisters. Ultimately he drowned his freedom at the bottom of a dirty wash basin when he washed the feet of his disciples. Setting the example for every disciple to come.

This day is all about community. It’s is a powerful reminder that devotion to personal freedom can rot the heart right out of the gospel.

Jesus spent his earthly life focused on unifying mankind with God. That is the kingdom. A common unity among brothers and sisters focused on the glory of God for the good of one another.

In a season of isolation maybe we can identify a little more closely with what Jesus was truly losing. Of course the physical suffering hurt him. But it was the isolation from those he loved, rejection from the Father, that was the real wounding. At the cross Jesus was stripped of intimacy with his Father, and fellowship with his earthly community. Unity was broken.

You can hear it in his words from the cross “At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Matthew 27:24

What does that mean for us?

Perhaps this time of distance from one another is an invitation to reevaluate what common unity was meant to look like. How did hot headed Peter and tax collecting Matthew get along with the political zealot Simon? All of their priorities were overshadowed by the overwhelming priority of being part of Jesus’ kingdom, which looked completely different than the kingdoms they had been serving and creating.

Our churches are made up of Peters and Matthews and Simons. We are exactly the same. With our political bents, social ideologies, fears, paranoia, ambitions. We all have kingdoms we serve and build. It’s our nature. Unity kills every one of those things.

We can’t serve ourselves and be united to the priorities of another. We can’t walk in step with the Holy Spirit and each other if we walk our own path.

I really believe the only thing to do is get out the wash basin. Unity doesn’t mean we agree on everything. It means our single focus, Jesus and his kingdom, binds us together. We agree with him so that we can love and serve one another.  

I don’t know exactly what that looks like day to day. I struggle with jealousy, resentment, and pride far too much to have practiced unity and sacrificial love enough to know how to tell you how to do it. 

But I do think it means not being consumed by the news of the world’s temporary kingdoms. I think it means not identifying people as an enemy but as the beloved, even if they don’t act like it or realize they are. I think it means instead of weighing in on every issue we go to God and lift up the world that so desperately needs to throw off the shackles of sin to walk in the freedom of submission to God’s loving authority.

Jesus set us free from the bondage of sin, darkness, and self to live in the joy of unity with him and one another.

Good Friday invites us to grieve the brokenness of unity.

This year is a unique opportunity to feel the heaviness of separation. Grief can do a powerful work in our hearts. It strips away the superfluous and highlights the critical. It births gratitude. It forges resolve to devote ourselves to what is of value. It drives us to the heart of God.

Let’s thank Jesus that he endured rejection and suffered broken unity in our place, so that we could be re-united with God and one another. How great our celebration will be when we can be physically present as a community again! 

The Important Work of Suffering

I sit in relative comfort and ease as I wait. Only mildly inconvenienced. I miss my church, the youth group I get to hang out with twice a week, my little friends at school. I don’t miss a 5:30 wake up alarm, or hectic schedule! Simple works for me.

Still, I feel edgy. The collective energy of the world seems to have gathered in the atmosphere. What is it we’re waiting for? Doom? Leadership? Catastrophe? Societal collapse? Financial collapse? Sickness? It seems an unseen enemy is stalking us. Every sneeze or sore throat makes my heart jump, for just a second. Fear has sunk its teeth in deep, the poison of its bite spreading all around us.

No doubt there is real reason for concern. My husband is in a high risk category. There are two cases of Covid-19 in our little town. Sober minded judgement is appropriate.

In all reality though, nothing substantial has changed. We are stalked everyday by an unseen enemy. From the moment Adam and Eve opened the door for sin, humanity has been dodging death. This moment just pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth.

We are fragile. 

“Shout that people are like the grass.
Their beauty fades as quickly
as the flowers in a field.
The grass withers and the flowers fade
beneath the breath of the Lord.
And so it is with people.
The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:6b-8

We’re far less secure than we think we are. Seasons of calm and prosperity stupefy us into believing we’re masters of our destiny. A global pandemic is a powerful reminder that life is fragile and fleeting. We desperately need that reminder.

We also need this reminder.

“Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
Who else knows the weight of the earth
or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
 Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?” Isaiah 40:12-13

It’s against our nature to embrace our humble position before the God of the universe. We want to flex our power, our self sufficiency. In moments of war, famine, or disease it’s harder to maintain that posture. Suffering has been a part of this world since the beginning. We’ve resented it. Understandably so. But what if suffering has a good work to accomplish? Re-calibrating our perspective. Allowing God to be God and us to be his creation.

“To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.
“Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.
O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:25-31

Suffering was not a part of God’s original plan for his creation. He grieves the effects of sin, and sacrificed his own Son to reverse it. As his people we should grieve sin and suffering too, doing all we can to reflect our Father’s heart of loving kindness. And yet suffering has an important job to do. It turns our eyes off of the kingdoms we have built and to the everlasting God who has eternal power.

I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that in this life we are perpetually dying. Our bodies get sick, we age, the whole cosmos is decaying. Can you feel it? That won’t be the case when God does away with the old, breaks the curse, and makes all things new. On the new earth we will be perpetually living! No more sickness or death. No more separation or sin. Only continuous, glorious, living! If we recognize God’s authority over creation, and over our hearts.

 

There are more questions than there are answers in the news today. This pandemic is an opportunity for God’s people to hold out life to a world that is groaning. Will we be people of influence and let suffering doing a good work, an eternal work, in our lives?

 

Liturgy for a Pandemic

According to Wikipedia “liturgy represents a communal response to, and participation in, the sacred through actively reflecting praise, thanksgiving, supplication or repentance.” I love that definition.

Unless you live under a rock you know that globally we’re coming to grips with COVID-19. There’s concern, uncertainty, fear. People have differences of opinion. Are we over-reacting, under-reacting? The situation is tense, and far from over.

I’ve read articles, watched news briefings, seen all of the emotions represented on social media. Lots of people have lots to say. I don’t need to add my opinion to the mix. Instead, I would like to offer a liturgy. 

Whether you are isolated in your home or your life is tentatively going on as usually. Whether you are afraid or irritated. I invite you to join me in a liturgy, a response of praise, thanksgiving, supplication, and repentance. Take a deep breath. Forget the statistics and participate with me.

Liturgy For A Pandemic (based on Psalm 91):

Lord, you had authority over creation yesterday. You have authority over creation today. And you will still have authority over creation tomorrow. We stop in this moment to give you praise, as is fitting. We praise you for your goodness and mercy. We praise you for your strength and power. You are Lord over all the earth.

In this moment we praise you.

Lord, we confess in this crisis our eyes have been too much on the world and media, and not enough on you. We have thought unkind thoughts, spoken ungracious words, allowed fear to get the best of us, judged others too harshly. Forgive us for not making you our refuge, for not trusting in your name, for not calling on you, or reflecting your nature. Be patient with us and teach us through this time to be like you.

In this moment we ask for forgiveness.

Lord, there are shortages, there is confusion, and tempers flare. At moments we feel stalked by an unseen enemy. Whether by a disease or fear itself, it’s hard to tell. But even in hard moments you provide. You sustain life, give grace, and provide your Holy Spirit to lead us in wisdom. We acknowledge your kindness to us and offer thanks. You invite us to find rest in your shadow. Thank you for giving us all that we need.

In this moment we thank you.

Lord, we acknowledge that you alone are our refuge and place of safety, our God, and we trust you. Rescue and protect us. Protect us from illness. Protect us from misinformation, protect us from complacency, anger, and judgement, protect us from hysteria. Your promises are our protection. Please be a refuge for our neighbor, for the sick, for the healthcare providers, and all who are working to do good for our communities.

In this moment we trust you to provide.

Amen.

There is still much to be faced, and learned, in the days ahead. When you’ve had information overload or feel overwhelmed by the strain, take a moment and use this liturgy to focus on God’s presence with you through it all. Read Psalm 91, maybe even commit portions to memory.

Nothing is wasted in God’s economy, not even the coronavirus. If we let him he will teach us new rhythms of rest, he will give us opportunities to love and trust, he will show his glory, deepen family bonds, and prove himself faithful!

{If you know someone who needs reassurance during these times share this liturgy with them or post it on your social media.}