Thursday, November 12, 2020
Sometimes bending low, we see more of our path ahead
in the woods
and in life.
Psalm 79:13
Then we your people, the flock of your pasture, will give thanks to you for ever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
Hebrews 13:15
Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Words of Grace For Today
Humble thanks and praise, these we have plenty cause to give to God. Not only for today, this day of -20⁰ and a bike ride home as it got colder and colder, for in the end all is well, all is well.
We have many things to give God thanks, in each generation, since the beginning of time, and for every future generation until there is no more time or a universe for us.
The thanks and praise we offer God is simple, and costly.
It is to give everything we are and have to respond to all other people as God has responded to us: with unconditional grace.
God has gathered us in, adopted us as children, and promised us life abundant. Life abundant is not one that overflows with comforts and luxuries, privileges and power, or ways and means. Life abundant is one that is lived fulfilling God’s purpose for us, which is to reflect God’s way with all people, to be Christ’s feet, hands, and voice for all people.
We confess our belief with words from our mouths, and it is affirmed by how we live. We do not live perfectly or better than others. We live for others.
It is like wearing a mask during this pandemic. One does it not for oneself, but for everyone else.
We do not live as God created us to be, so that we benefit, but that others benefit from God’s Grace.
That is simple and costly and priceless.
Like humbling oneself to give children affirming attention so that they understand they are valuable as people, we humble ourselves and give each person due attention and respect, so that all people understand that they are valuable as people, especially to God.
Trumpism, the manner of Gaslighting everyone to try to make some fiction become real, trying to get some advantage for oneself or ones own, has nothing to do with being in God’s flock. It is what destroys individuals, families, and countries. It is what threatens to sink the whole world into war.
From Nazis, to Stasi, to Trumpites, to those who bear false witness in courts, to those who defend their lies with more lies in daily life, and to lots and lots of others who work us woe: these are the way of the Devil.
When we humble ourselves and practice kindness, we start to see God’s way.
Kindness is at the root of due attention and respect; and clarity when one does something wrong.
Kindness, praise, and thanks: these fill our days with living beauty.
No pandemic, no -20⁰C weather, no gaslighting can change that.
God’s way is from generation to generation assured.