Psalm 137:1-4

Psalm 137:1-4 

English Standard Version 

  I was thinking about the exile the other day.  The Jewish people were in their homeland and then they weren't, exiled from the place they called home, trying to discover how they were to worship God in this strange and foreign land.  

  Dislocation occurs when the order is disrupted.  When I was 10, the orderly way in which my forearm bone worked was disrupted by a fall from a bicycle.  We suffer countless dislocations as we go through life -- sometimes physical, often relational.  Sometimes, our lives are disrupted when we lose jobs.  Other times, it's when we have to relocate and learn a new place.  Lately, we've all been dislocated by the new way we are all discovering how to live.  Fear and uncertainty loom large.  

  The Israelites in exile probably thought they would never know how to worship properly again.  But they found a way to move forward, and eventually made it home.

  In the same way, we'll find a way to continue to worship God in this present dislocation, and as God will do with all things, this will be set right, in God's time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 

English Standard Version 

  This is much better known in song format, but is a helpful reminder -- much of our lives on this earth are beyond our control, as much as we may dislike that, and there is sin and brokenness that dictate many things.  It is appropriate at times to mourn the state of the world and our lives, just as it is often appropriate to celebrate when all is right with the world -- there are times when all we can do is give thanks and let our mouths pour forth praise.   

   It seems as though the world is in a time to mourn right now, but we can't get stuck here -- we have to look for the things to celebrate, the signs that indicate there will be times to laugh.  Life is full of wondrous as well as tragic moments, and they remind us of the blessings of God as well as the sinfulness of the world, and all these things lift our eyes and hearts to look forward to the coming fulfillment of God's Kingdom.

Hebrews 11:1-3

Hebrews 11:1-3 

English Standard Version 

  We all wish we could see clearly what we believe in, but faith doesn't work that way.  There is a required element of trust, and with it comes doubt.

  And doubt is ok.

  One of the (many) things I love about Christianity is that it welcomes doubt with open arms.  Christianity has been poked and prodded for 2,000 years, and it has proved robust enough to withstand examination.  Whatever questions you have for Christianity, you should ask them.  The answer may not be easy to find, but it's there, somewhere.  God can take your questions.  We don't have to be afraid of them -- there's a good chance that someone else has had that same question.  

  So ask.  Doubt.  Seek.  You will find.  There is grace for everyone who doubts, and answers for all who seek.  We won't find all the answers this side of heaven, but I believe that one day, we will see clearly what is now seen through a glass darkly.

Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139:23-24 

English Standard Version 

  This is the ultimate trust -- do we trust God to know us completely and then, understanding that God knows our flaws, do we believe that God will lead us into the way of life?  Or do we fear that God will punish us?  

  These are competing understandings of God.  Different churches will give you different perspectives.  You can support both from different verses in Scripture.  Personally, I believe that the entire witness of Scripture speaks to a God who is intent on saving people from sin and will go to great lengths to do so.  I do believe that some people, intent on resisting God, ultimately receive the eternity they desire -- to be without God.  However, I believe this grieves God, who wants to lead people to life, to the way everlasting.  God creates us and knows us, our very thoughts, and loves us enough to die on the cross for us.  

  Thanks be to God for grace and for love!