Readings: Isaiah 63:7-16 Galatians 4:1-7 Luke 2:33-40
Mention the word "slave" today, and our blood runs cold. This, of course, is when it is viewed in recent US history. The term "slave", when used in ancient history, had a much broader meaning.
Everyone was a slave at one time in ancient history...everyone.
Even the most royal of the royal.
Childhood back in those days wasn't the marketing dream it is today. Small children were simply seen as little slaves that, if they survived, would have the chance of growing into the title of "son". Kind of harsh, but tough love was pretty much the rule of the day back then.
We won't go where that left the daughters...that's for another time.
However, back to the process.
In accordance with the writings in Galatians 4:1 "What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate," a child had to answer (or be a "slave") to a host of guardians, trustees and, of course, parents, before being deemed by his elders as ready to accept the role of son and heir.
Now parallel that with our growth in our spirituality--see the pattern?
We are all "slaves" to so many things of the world; our heads are easily turned. Once we discover the bliss of being truly spiritual, we, for a time, become "slaves" to God's direction through Christ. As we grow, we will be deemed a son and heir. (Thankfully a universal term...all females invited along this time.) Galatians 4:7 "So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir."
Sounds great! Sign us up.
But, it's not that easy...remember those times when the Jews were roaming about in the desert?
There was a reason...this slave to son to heir business is not just something we accept and then move on...we need to live it.
In Isaiah 63: 7-16, the people of Israel were shown some pretty tough love then they forgot the live it part of being inheritors of God's love and kingdom. And, as a good parent reluctantly does, God allowed them to understand the feeling of the result of doing wrong. Tough love. These were God's chosen ones. He showered love upon them as no one can other than God. And yet they turned away in defiance. So they became children of sorts again--slaves. They did a lot of wandering and a bit of pondering...I'm guessing a little whining too. Most kids do if they can get away with it. In their ignorance they just couldn't see why God had turned a deaf ear to them. Eventually, their whining turned to repentance and a plea for forgiveness. The wrongs were realized. And God showered them with love once again...the ultimate greatest parent.
When looking at the roles of slave or son or inheritor, most of us would more than likely jump right on that inheritor bandwagon. Why be a slave when you can be the pampered one?
Just be careful...words have many meanings.
When Joseph and Mary took their baby to the temple for his presentation, it was prophesied then and there that Jesus would, indeed, be a Son and Inheritor. But that same prophesy carried with it the words to Mary, "And a sword will pierce your own soul, too" (v.35) Being the Son and inheritor would bring the greatest of joys to Christ's mother, but also the greatest of sorrows. Being an inheritor is not always being the pampered one.
So where does that leave us? Starting to think that staying at "slave" status with scads of caregivers and over-seers the safest place to be? It sounds tempting at times. Just hunker down and let the world go by.
But we're made in God's image...we are inheritors.
Come the bad with the good, the sorrows with the joys, the responsibilities with the perks, we freely accept the inheritance of eternal life and sharing the beyond belief good feeling of being on a higher spiritual plane.
We all start out as slaves on our life's journey...the inheritance is ours for the taking.
Be a good heir.
Peace be with you.
Showing posts with label God's love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's love. Show all posts
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Gliding Along the Tides of Time
"We glide along the tides of time as swiftly as a racing river, and vanish as quickly as a dream. Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should." Psalm 90: 5 and 12
Gliding along the tides of time--this pretty much says it all. Although through better and better prevention we are able to achieve longer lifespans, once life draws to a close it usually seems too short. Perhaps the idea we're missing is that it is all about quality and not quantity.
Many of us on this planet are born into a virtual Garden of Eden. We have more than enough food at our disposal; a place of shelter to keep us warm, cool, and protected; clothes on our backs and shoes on our feet. Mercifully, we're also given a conscience that reminds us of others who aren't living with the same ease as us, so we see to it to share. The act of sharing emulates the love of Christ, thereby not only giving material items to others through kindness, but sharing our belief in Christ as well. Fortunately, most of us are more than willing to share our abundant resources with others in need. It's the sharing our belief in Christ that makes us hesitant. How do we do this? We feel awkward, we feel intrusive, we feel a lack of skills of how to smoothly interject Christ's love into our daily conversations. We've unfortunately been bombarded with one televangelist after another that tend to overwhelm us to the point that we feel if we speak of the word of God or Christ to anyone, we come across in that same overwhelming way. Don't worry--it won't. God is in our corner. He knows every hair on our head and every thought in our mind. He knows how we're wired--He had a hand in it, remember? If we ask for calm in our own thoughts and speech, we'll have it. The appropriate words will come to soothe, help, love, and give hope to those around us. All the teachings of Christ were done in this manner; he sat amongst people, quietly sharing parables--not screaming from the rooftops or flailing and flaunting about. He gives us the same still and calm sharing ability if we ask Him for it.
In 2 Timothy 1:8 Paul finds himself once again in jail for sharing the news of Christ. WHAT?!? JAIL?!? Didn't we just agree that we could ask for and be given the calm and smooth words to share with others? And now we're talking about being jailed? If you're not familiar with Paul, he is the exception to the rule. Paul didn't do anything half way. When he was in is "former" life as he puts it, his greatest joy was exposing Christians left and right--doing his level best to destroy the whole of the growing sect of Christianity in the Mid-East. Once his conversion came, he did his level best to make Christianity the way and only way. One can see how this might anger some of his former employers. So...Paul spent quite a bit of time in jail. But he never gave up. And he also was wise to accept a God-given partner in Christianity in the form of Timothy--a soft-spoken, hard-working man. In verse 8 it states: "If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord, or to let them know that I am your friend even though I am in jail for Christ's sake. You will be ready to suffer with me for the Lord, for he will give you strength in suffering. He goes on in verse 13: "Hold tightly to the pattern of truth I taught you, especially concerning the faith and love Christ Jesus offers you. Guard well the splendid, God-given abilities you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you."
We all have those God-given abilities...those gifts from the Holy Spirit. We may not feel comfortable at first sharing the love of God and Christ through direct conversation. But remember the old axiom, "Actions speak louder than words." Think of how you can exemplify the beauty of Christ's love through simple gestures of kindness to others. If you have money--share it with organizations that you feel good about to share food, livestock, seeds, medicines, etc. If you have time--share it by helping at a food pantry, a soup kitchen, visiting at a nursing home, or cleaning us something for someone who can't do it on his own. If you have talent--share it by singing a song, sharing a poem or prose, making a pot of soup or a loaf of bread.
We are gliding along the tides of time. Every day does count. We're given so much; we need to use our limited time of this dear Earth to do good to others and feel the love of Christ as we share.
May the Lord be with you always. Amen.
Gliding along the tides of time--this pretty much says it all. Although through better and better prevention we are able to achieve longer lifespans, once life draws to a close it usually seems too short. Perhaps the idea we're missing is that it is all about quality and not quantity.
Many of us on this planet are born into a virtual Garden of Eden. We have more than enough food at our disposal; a place of shelter to keep us warm, cool, and protected; clothes on our backs and shoes on our feet. Mercifully, we're also given a conscience that reminds us of others who aren't living with the same ease as us, so we see to it to share. The act of sharing emulates the love of Christ, thereby not only giving material items to others through kindness, but sharing our belief in Christ as well. Fortunately, most of us are more than willing to share our abundant resources with others in need. It's the sharing our belief in Christ that makes us hesitant. How do we do this? We feel awkward, we feel intrusive, we feel a lack of skills of how to smoothly interject Christ's love into our daily conversations. We've unfortunately been bombarded with one televangelist after another that tend to overwhelm us to the point that we feel if we speak of the word of God or Christ to anyone, we come across in that same overwhelming way. Don't worry--it won't. God is in our corner. He knows every hair on our head and every thought in our mind. He knows how we're wired--He had a hand in it, remember? If we ask for calm in our own thoughts and speech, we'll have it. The appropriate words will come to soothe, help, love, and give hope to those around us. All the teachings of Christ were done in this manner; he sat amongst people, quietly sharing parables--not screaming from the rooftops or flailing and flaunting about. He gives us the same still and calm sharing ability if we ask Him for it.
In 2 Timothy 1:8 Paul finds himself once again in jail for sharing the news of Christ. WHAT?!? JAIL?!? Didn't we just agree that we could ask for and be given the calm and smooth words to share with others? And now we're talking about being jailed? If you're not familiar with Paul, he is the exception to the rule. Paul didn't do anything half way. When he was in is "former" life as he puts it, his greatest joy was exposing Christians left and right--doing his level best to destroy the whole of the growing sect of Christianity in the Mid-East. Once his conversion came, he did his level best to make Christianity the way and only way. One can see how this might anger some of his former employers. So...Paul spent quite a bit of time in jail. But he never gave up. And he also was wise to accept a God-given partner in Christianity in the form of Timothy--a soft-spoken, hard-working man. In verse 8 it states: "If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord, or to let them know that I am your friend even though I am in jail for Christ's sake. You will be ready to suffer with me for the Lord, for he will give you strength in suffering. He goes on in verse 13: "Hold tightly to the pattern of truth I taught you, especially concerning the faith and love Christ Jesus offers you. Guard well the splendid, God-given abilities you received as a gift from the Holy Spirit who lives within you."
We all have those God-given abilities...those gifts from the Holy Spirit. We may not feel comfortable at first sharing the love of God and Christ through direct conversation. But remember the old axiom, "Actions speak louder than words." Think of how you can exemplify the beauty of Christ's love through simple gestures of kindness to others. If you have money--share it with organizations that you feel good about to share food, livestock, seeds, medicines, etc. If you have time--share it by helping at a food pantry, a soup kitchen, visiting at a nursing home, or cleaning us something for someone who can't do it on his own. If you have talent--share it by singing a song, sharing a poem or prose, making a pot of soup or a loaf of bread.
We are gliding along the tides of time. Every day does count. We're given so much; we need to use our limited time of this dear Earth to do good to others and feel the love of Christ as we share.
May the Lord be with you always. Amen.
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