We are almost there . . . the end of the month.
Were we promised freedom from our caged life or is this simply a pipe dream we stashed in our hearts?
Part of us yearns to run to a place that is currently off limits.
Part of us loves these days we’ve lingered a little too long before diving into our daily regimen. The question we might ask ourselves is, “What if we are only allowed out of our cages for specific adventures?”
What if we break our sequester only to find that the ‘rules’ of being out and about are so arduous that it is better to remain behind our virtual fences?
What if?
We could not imagine being confined to such limited space but we are.
We have all survived and will continue to do so as we venture back into the world very slowly.
What new disciplines have you incorporated into your life?
What wonder-filled discoveries have you made about yourself or family?
Keep a record, write it down, journal.
Write about new ways God has filled your soul.
Write as if you are sharing it with the next generation who is not yet born.
As we continue with our daily meditaitons, here are some quotes to embrace.
"No one who follows Me will ever walk in darkness (Jn 8:12). These words of our Lord counsel all to walk in His footsteps. If you want to see clearly and avoid blindness of heart, it is His virtues you must imitate. Make it your aim to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ. Christ's teachings surpasses that of all the Saints. But to find this spiritual nourishment you must seek to have the Spirit of Christ. It is because we lack this Spirit that so often we listen to the Gospel without really hearing it. Those who fully understand Christ's words must labor to make their lives conform to His.” Thomas รก Kempis, p.15 Imitation of Christ.
"The bread you store up belongs to the hungry; the cloak that lies in your chest belongs to the naked; the gold you have hidden in the ground belongs to the poor." St. Basil the Great.
April 24, 2020
Exodus 16:23-36; Psalm 16,17, 134,135; 1 Peter 3:13—4:6; John 16:1-15
John 16:7 Jesus said, “If I do not go away the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go I will send Him to you. :13 When the Spirit of Truth comes He will guide you into the Truth. :14 He will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
Jesus took the time to tell His beloved twelve what would happen in their future.
Yet, these words seem like a riddle to be solved when more pieces accumulate.
Jesus’ words seemed vague.
Perhaps the twelve discussed among themselves, “Where would He go without us?
We’ve followed Jesus for three years. Every time He has tried to hide in a quiet place away from the crowd and even us, we have found Him.
There is no way we will let our Lord disappear.”
The disciples were aware that the Holy Spirit was like a rushing wind that swirled around them and, at specific times, would direct a prophet into action or provide wise words to be shared with others.
Throughout the history of God’s chosen people, the Holy Spirit would come and go as God’s people were directed toward their next steps.
What Jesus’ disciples did not understand was why the Holy Spirit would be called their “Advocate.”
They may have said among themselves, “Why would Jesus have to leave us in order for this ‘advocate’ to appear?
Why is this ‘advocate’ called the Spirit of Truth?
Jesus is all Truth.
Jesus, the prophet of all prophets, the One with divine qualities, can be touched and heard and seen. Why a Spirit instead of Jesus?”
It’s almost like learning physics when one’s main objective in life is simply to go fishing.
When Jesus said, “He will take what is Mine and declare it to you,” Jesus’ disciples may have scratched their heads.
What?
The Spirit will take what belongs to Jesus and give it away?
In essence, Jesus is saying, “All that I am belongs to you. If you say ‘yes’ and give Me your entire life, I will, without hesitation, give you all that is Mine, and the Spirit of Truth will guide you throughout your entire life.”
Think about it: The disciples could not comprehend these words much less the power that would be implanted into all who profess Jesus as Lord.
Jesus promised generations of believers that the power of the Spirit of Truth would be planted in our souls, BE in us, in order to lead us, guide us, mold us into His image.
The Spirit of Truth is now our leader.
We are blessed with hindsight because we have access to Scripture that tells the whole story.
We have references and great theologians who can unpack the words of Jesus.
We belong to strong Christian communities with whom we interact and ask questions as we grow in our faith.
We have the Holy Spirit planted in us through baptism and our profession of faith.
Or do we?
Do we use the resources available to us in order to grow strong and firm in the Spirit of Truth?
To we ‘empower’ the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, planted in us?
Do we act upon the stirring within our soul each day or do we ignore God’s whispers that daily direct our path?
Do we yearn to be more like Christ, do more for Christ, learn more in order to teach others, in order to empower others with that same Spirit of Truth?
Or, are like Jesus’ first disciples, grasping Jesus’ words without yet experiencing what Jesus’ death and resurrection truly mean to us?
We have what the twelve and thousands more were waiting to receive.
We do not have to wait.
It’s all ours . . . now.
All
How are we growing in Christ-likeness as we tap into the Spirit of Truth?
Just say, “yes” to God’s whispers and keep moving forward.
It’s ALL ours . . . to give away to others.
Mark and the other Apostles did amazing feats but were not alone in their ministries.
Let’s first be equipped by learning to 'BE' in Christ. When we are filled to overflowing, we can then GO and do.
1 Peter 1:18-23 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ like the sacrificial lamb without defect. He was destined before the foundation of the world and revealed at the end of the ages for our sake. Through Him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave
him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth . . . You have been born anew, not of perishable, but of imperishable seed through the living and enduring Word of God.
Obedience to the Truth means that we have come to trust in God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
And who wants to walk back backwards . . . . back into the life we had?
April 25 Celebration of Saint Mark, the Evangelist
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 2; Ephesians 4:7-8, 11-16; Mark 1:1-15 or 16:15-20
Ephesians 4:11-16 “The Gifts He gave are that some would be Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry for the building up of the body of Christ until all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. No longer are you to be children, tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful shaming. Speak the Truth in love, grow into Christ as the whole body. All are connected so as to build itself up in love.”
The reason we celebrate Mark and other church 'fathers and mothers’ who are called “Saints" is because of their legacy. If it were not for their incredible contribution to furthering the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we would not be Christians. If we take the time to read about these great people, we may motivated to use our own Holy Boldness to further the Gospel in unique settings.
Mark was born in Cyrene, a city in the Pentapolis of North Africa [now Libya]. The Apostle Peter was very close to Mark and took him as interpreter and travel companion. Mark, one of the 70 disciples of Jesus, wrote down the sermons of Peter, thus composing the Gospel according to Mark. The book of Mark is thought to be the first of the synoptic Gospels. It is shorter than the other Gospels but is packed with the life-giving words of the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
Mark was the cousin of Barnabas, the one who encouraged Paul to take Mark with him on one of his missionary journeys [Acts]. Mark is often seen in statues carrying a book which symbolizes his work as an evangelist, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In his later years, Mark returned to Alexandria in Africa to preach the Gospel to this pagan people. The Gospel was not well accepted. In 68 AD Mark was dragged through the streets, his body torn to pieces, until he died.
Mark was the cousin of Barnabas, the one who encouraged Paul to take Mark with him on one of his missionary journeys [Acts]. Mark is often seen in statues carrying a book which symbolizes his work as an evangelist, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In his later years, Mark returned to Alexandria in Africa to preach the Gospel to this pagan people. The Gospel was not well accepted. In 68 AD Mark was dragged through the streets, his body torn to pieces, until he died.
We may linger awhile as we read today’s passage in Mark. Yet, the essence of Mark’s life is written in the letter to the Ephesians. Indeed, we are each given gifts to be used as our Lord leads.
Mark was called to be part of the seventy who traveled with Jesus. He was at the wedding in Cana and was one of many who were anointed, through the Holy Spirit, to Go, tell Jesus’ story, preach, teach and equip the saints [that’s all of us] for the work of ministry. Mark did it all because he chose to step into the hard places as he matured in Christ and was strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit within him.
Mark was called to be part of the seventy who traveled with Jesus. He was at the wedding in Cana and was one of many who were anointed, through the Holy Spirit, to Go, tell Jesus’ story, preach, teach and equip the saints [that’s all of us] for the work of ministry. Mark did it all because he chose to step into the hard places as he matured in Christ and was strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit within him.
We are all called to mature in Christ.
If we do not know our Christian foundation, the stories in
scripture, the mighty works of those brave martyrs who died in furthering the Gospel, we can easily be swayed by some slick teacher who turns our focus to other gods.
These ‘gods’ can be disguised as good works that go nowhere because we do not share the love of Jesus with those we are helping.
We can ‘do’ all the good works we wish but if we do not help to build another’s foundation in Christ, what we ‘do’ is like dust that falls to the ground.
If we do not know our Christian foundation, the stories in
These ‘gods’ can be disguised as good works that go nowhere because we do not share the love of Jesus with those we are helping.
We can ‘do’ all the good works we wish but if we do not help to build another’s foundation in Christ, what we ‘do’ is like dust that falls to the ground.
Think about it: Are you one of those who steps right up to help whenever possible?
Does your heart go out to the poor and oppressed in such a way that you step up to the plate and help?
Good for you!
There is nothing wrong with this.
There is nothing wrong with this.
But are you able to share with another how you gave your life to Jesus?
Are you continuously strengthened in your faith through understanding of the scriptures?
When ministry gets tough do you step back and refresh yourself with prayer and Jesus’ affirming words?
Do you attend a weekly bible study or growth group where you can be encouraged to remain in a particular ministry you love or, perhaps, encouraged to seek something new?
Mark and the other Apostles did amazing feats but were not alone in their ministries.
They were surrounded by others who encouraged one another to love and good deeds as they shared their memories of Jesus, the Christ to all in their world of ministry.
Let us reflect on the avenue of ministry that excites us and draws us more deeply into the love of Christ.
Let us ‘grow into Christ’ as a group, encouraging one another, as Mark was encouraged, to go out into the world to share the source of unconditional love, Jesus, the Christ.
BE in Christ. . . then GO and DO.
BE in Christ. . . then GO and DO.
April 26 Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-3,10-17; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
1 Peter 1:18-23 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ like the sacrificial lamb without defect. He was destined before the foundation of the world and revealed at the end of the ages for our sake. Through Him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave
Peter’s letter is spot on.
Incredibly articulate, this is the Gospel message in a nutshell.
“Ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors . . .” says it all.
He speaks to devout Jews, Pharisees and Saducees.
“Futile ways” may have gone over the heads of many but trying to live by the Law is and was impossible.
Trying the best they could they most likely sinned daily, as we continue to do.
This letter reached far wider territory than Peter was able to travel.
He needed to affirm to many that their true ransom for sin is Jesus Christ.
Jesus, the Passover Lamb, was without blemish.
The “Truth” is our stake in the ground.
The “Truth” is the One who came to us in the flesh so that we could better understand our life dedicated to God.
We’ve been ‘born again’ through the Seed that never dies, the Seed planted for us, the Seed that had to die first before He could rise again from the depth of nothing and bloom in our souls.
The living, enduring Word of God, when planted within us, will remain with us always.
As long as we abide, cling to, dedicate our whole life to the will of God in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit within us will lead us, guide us and direct us along the path pre-planned for us.
Think about it: We have heard these words many times.
The disciples heard Jesus’ message many times over a three year period.
Sometimes we have so much baggage within, we have trouble understanding the Lord’s message to us.
The Truth is our stake in the ground.
Tie yourself to the Truth and feel free to circle slowly around that ‘stake’ as continuously as you are able.
One day you will notice that, by circling around the Truth, still tethered to His stake . . .
By skirting around Jesus and how we are called to live within His precepts, you will, at some moment, be at the end of the rope.
You will be tightly clinging to our Lord and will have no place to go until you ‘unwind’ and walk backwards.
And who wants to walk back backwards . . . . back into the life we had?
Once we discover the Truth, it will truly set us free.
Keep walking forward.
Keep obeying the Word of the Lord.
Keep worshipping Him.
Keep walking into His presence.
Keep receiving the Presence of our Lord at Holy Communion.
Keep on keeping on.
By doing so, you will release just a little more baggage and be open to more of the Truth, more of Jesus.
God will stretch your rope.
Stay tethered and keep walking!
God will stretch your rope.
Stay tethered and keep walking!
April 27 Exodus 18:13-27; Psalm 9, 15, 25; 1 Peter 5:1-14; Matthew 3:1-6
Exodus 18:13-27 Moses stood as judge all day and was the only one giving council. His father in law told him, “Teach those people the statutes so they can understand what God wants of them. Set trusted leaders over them: 1,000, 100, 50, 10. Let them sit as judges before people. You will be able to endure and there will be peace.”
Moses, a gifted leader, is God’s chosen administrator for the Hebrew people.
God directs Moses’ every move when asked.
In fact, Moses has cried out to God many times for solutions to the many problems presented to him and God responds immediately.
Moses is deemed the ‘authority’ who connects the people with God.
The people do not yet know how to work among themselves but Moses need not be the only ‘judge.’
What’s interesting is the best solution comes from Moses’ father-in-law.
Remember Jethro? He’s the Moabite who gave shelter when Moses fled Egypt.
Jethro daughter became Moses’ wife.
Jethro saw Moses, raised by Pharaoh, to be well educated, sophisticated and way out of his element when he offered to serve Jethro as a shepherd.
Shepherding is meant for the uneducated young boys to test their ability to problem solve for themselves and the sheep while living alone in a remote grazing area.
Moses was also nurtured by his birth-mother, a servant in Pharaoh’s household.
Moses had vicariously learned the ‘ways’ of the Hebrew people and knew their history as shepherds.
Little did Moses know that God had been training Moses for the mighty job that would be laid before him.
Little did Moses know that, being raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, learning how to read and write and converse with the most sophisticated people, yet learning to humble himself as a shepherd, was exactly the training God planned.
Little did Moses know that he would be advised by a Moabite, one who had to learn about the God these Hebrews worshipped.
Little did Moses know that his authority would stretch him so far that his father-in-law had to help him with the solution.
People forgot how to worship God, how to seek help, how to make decisions, how to solve problems.
Divide the tasks.
Teach a few who have discerning minds to help with the leadership.
Teach God’s precepts so they can teach others . . . who will teach others.
This was the beginning of Discipleship . . . teaching each other to teach another.
Think about it: There is good reason for ‘chain of authority.’
Look at the structure of authority in your church.
You may be learning from a volunteer leader, one who knows the subject well and can help you grow in Christ.
That person might be under the head of a commission like, “Christian Education” and may also be a volunteer leader.
The head of Christian Education may be under the authority of the director of all the commissions. Some call it a council, our denomination calls it a Vestry.
Another might call this chain of authority ‘Church Leaders.’
And all of these committees, ministries, functions of the church may ultimately be the responsibility of the Pastor.
Your Pastor should be under the authority of another person or group of people.
Each denomination has ‘overseers’ who guide those under them so that the Truth of Jesus Christ remains tethered tightly to the Word of God.
We should all be under a long chain of authority where there are checks and balances so that we all remain ‘centered’ or ‘focused’ on living our lives according to God’s plan, not our own.
As far back as Moses, and centuries before his leadership, God had a plan for each of us.
He chose us to be His, to glorify Him, to live a life that leads others into His loving arms.
He chose us to teach each other so that we are able to help another live for Christ and give Christ-life to still another.
How are you growing under the authority of another, who is under the authority of Christ?
Seek to know the chain of authority in your church.
Follow.
Be a disciple first.
Then go, be used by God according to His plan.
Make disciples in the same way Moses divided his responsibilities so that all in your sphere of influence can learn and gain the ability to teach others.
Divide the tasks.
Teach one another.
Make disciples.
God promises to give humanity all the treasure in heaven IF.
Pray that our Lord will show you His best direction for your life.
April 28 Exodus 19:1-16; Psalm 26,28,36,39; Colossians 1:1-14; Matthew 3:7-12
Exodus 19:1 The third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai. :3-6 Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain
saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites, 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, IF you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possessions out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is Mine, but you shall be for Me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.” [emphasis is mine]
“The third moon . . . “
They measured time by the sky.
They knew the night sky well with the tracking of constellations and the moon.
Time was measured just as God’s words were measured.
Just three months ago, God transported this motley crew of Hebrews, wanderers, on a miraculous journey out of Egypt.
God ‘bore them on eagle’s wings’ !
Can you envision this beautiful picture?
God is setting up a new covenant relationship with His people.
They’d lost sight of the Abrahamic covenants decades ago, generations ago, ten life-times ago when they entered Egypt and chose to live under the domination of another god.
The God whom Moses knew was willing to help them begin again.
He poured out his grace upon a ragged, disengaged people in order to, once again, make them ‘a priestly kingdom, a holy nation.’
God will never let go of his plan for the humanity he created, chosen to be God’s treasure and to pass the glory of God’s presence to the next generation.
God created man for covenant relationship and chose the wandering Hebrews to remain in steadfast covenant with the same God as that of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
It’s always the big, “IF.”
IF you obey My voice.
IF you keep My covenant.
God always takes the first step.
God chose one man, Abraham, to receive His treasure and Abraham passed this treasure to the next generation and the next . . .
God never changed.
God never left the Hebrew nation.
God never turned His back on them . . . they turned their back on God.
God’s people are now in a place where they need only focus on God, through the leadership of Moses and Aaron and many other priestly leaders who are willing to teach this wayward people what it means to be a “Covenant People,” a treasured possession of God, a priestly kingdom, a holy nation.
Think about it. We inherited this covenant.
We inherited the right to be God’s treasured possession, a priestly kingdom, a holy nation.
By saying “yes” to the New Covenant, Jesus Christ, we also can soar on eagles wings into the safe haven of God’s presence.
We can have all the treasure in heaven.
We can belong to God through His Son and “be Christ’s own forever.”
IF
IF we are willing to die to our old, sin-filled life, and enter into covenant relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ.
We who choose to say, “yes” to New Covenant relationship will indeed have all God’s treasure in heaven.
It’s the dying to self that’s so hard.
We are no different than this motley crew of whining Hebrew people who fear letting go of their old ways, their old godless nature.
Can you remember when the Lord whisked you out of your own ‘Egypt’, out of your own slavery to that which is not of God?
Can you see the changes you have made during this time you seek to know, follow and be more like Christ?
Can you say with all confidence that you are firmly entrenched in covenant relationship with Him?
God wants to give us all the treasure of heaven so that we feel compelled to draw others into covenant relationship.
How are you progressing as you embrace God’s New Covenant promise, eternal life through our Lord?
Pray that you can soar into the presence of the Lord as if He were bearing you on eagle’s wings.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will quicken within you and spur you into the next phase of your growth.
Is it the ‘third moon’ since your release from captivity or is it your twelve hundredth new moon?
It really does not matter.
Begin today to pray that the Lord will propel you into Himself in new ways in order for you to know, deep in your soul, that you are and always will be part of God’s priestly kingdom.
April 29 Exodus 19:16-25 Psalm 38, 119:25-48; Colossians 1:15-23;
Matthew 3:13-17
Colossians 1:15-23 Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. :17 He is before all things and in him all things hold together. :19 In Him the fullness of God was pleased to dwell and through Him, God reconciled all things to Himself.
A new beginning.
New Life.
Spring = Easter
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God . . .
And it was good.
This passage seems unique to Pauline writing.
Concise.
Paul’s words reveal Jesus as first-born of all creation in few words.
First born of all creation.
First !
Jesus WAS.
Jesus was BEFORE all creation.
Jesus was before ALL THINGS.
Only when we stop to meditate on each word, picture it in our soul, can we fully understand God’s gift of Jesus.
Not until Jesus died, rose again, walked among His disciples and knocked Saul down with His presence did the reality hit.
Not until the Apostle Paul wrote letters such as this one did people glean the full understanding of the gift of God from before the beginning of creation.
In Jesus, the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
Remember when Jesus humbled Himself and was baptized by John as an example for all to follow?
The voice from above thundered, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17
The Father was pleased from the very first moment Jesus began His ministry.
Near the end, on the Mount of Transfiguration, this thunderous voice again spoke, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!” Matt. 17:5
From before the beginning, through Jesus presence on this earth, and into eternity, God is pleased.
God is pleased because, through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ ALL THINGS were reconciled to God THROUGH Jesus.
Jesus is God’s ‘check balancer’.
Jesus covered all loss, all unbalance, all skewing of creation, all SIN so that God could, once again, connect with His creation.
Through Jesus’ blood sacrifice, God can enjoy His creation.
Through the Lamb of God, those who call Him “Lord, Lord,” are reconciled to God.
It’s His blood that covers us, cleanses us, enables God to reside in our soul by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the beginning God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
From the beginning God wanted us as His own forever.
Sin broke our connection with God.
Jesus paid the price with His shed blood so that humanity could reconnect with God.
Three short sentences says it all.
We who choose to submit to God and receive Jesus as Lord simply need to give Him our sins, be willing to let our sin be smothered by Jesus’ shed blood, say, “yes” and follow Him.
Begin again.
Say YES.
Spring forth with new life . . . through Jesus.
April 30 Exodus 20:1-21; Psalm 37; Colossians 1:24—2:7; Matthew 4:1-11
Psalm 37:23-24 “Our steps are made firm by the Lord when He delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand."
The psalms are balm for the soul.
They sing of the Lord’s delight as we cling to the presence of God.
So many pictures race through my mind.
I think of the verse in Isaiah, “We, like sheep, have gone astray, each to our own way . . .”
We seem to forever be like young lambs learning to walk without stumbling.
By taking the Lord’s hand and allowing God to lead us where we should go, we develop a strong bond with the Him.
This is His delight!
The Lord delights that we choose to cling, hang on, learn to stand steady as He holds us.
He delights when we choose to take one step at a time, and then another and still another, still gripping tightly to His hand.
Delight.
What comes to mind when we say this word?
I imagine little lambs bouncing about in a pasture of spring grass.
The world is right there for the taking.
Fresh air, sunshine, not-too-hot days, not a care in the world, plenty to satisfy the appetite, trust that all is well and that the caretaker is always present, ready to help with any need.
We are like sheep who have the choice to stray or to hold tight to the Lord Who will hold us up by His righteous right hand.
When we delight in Him, He delights in us.
We need only hold tight and trust His strong, steady grip.
The way we hold onto our Lord is to drink in special moments through prayer, meditation on scripture and worship.
We can stand firm right where we are as we remain focused on His forever presence.
As we grow in strength, still holding onto His hand, we can
take one step and then two and remain upright as we move forward at a steady gait.
What a comfort to know that He will keep us steady even when we stumble.
Our Lord will pull us back up, help us to try again and remain with us always.
We, like sheep, will always tend to stray from the One who delights in us.
In doing so, we will stumble.
Yet the Lord is right there, waiting for us to grab his hand.
We just need to remember to grab it and keep holding on.
May 4 Exodus 32:1-20; Psalm 41,52,44; Colossians 3:18—4:6; Matthew 5:1-10
Exodus 32:1 “When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron, and said to him, ‘Come, make gods for us, who shall go before us;; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the Land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”
Delayed.
Moses, who led them out of Egypt, led them to safety, was delayed.
Moses, who called upon God for water in this parched land, hit rock and water gushed out.
Moses, who listened hard to complaints until he was almost done in, finally picked leaders to help.
Moses, who called on God for something more than daily manna, convinced God to provide Quail in the evenings.
Moses, who led God’s chosen people through the wilderness when they’d picked each area clean, had become their god.
What happened to the leaders who Moses had chosen to divide up the duties of leadership?
What happened to the few who actually remembered the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob?
Were there any left?
Had they all forgotten?
Delay of expectation can cause fear, panic, and actions that take us backwards.
The people forgot their pitiful life as slaves in Egypt.
The people forgot the restrictions so tight that they could not worship as they’d been taught.
The people forgot their God and began to worship the gods they learned about in Egypt.
The people, in a panic, forgot!
When we worship a leader and that leader, in all humanity, disappears or disappoints, do we turn to the gods that are most convenient?
Do we turn to leaders who are not strong enough to lead us back to the Lord, thy God?
Do we turn to old habits that lead us further away from the worship that brings us close to the Lord?
The golden calf was a representation of strength and leadership.
Even Aaron, brother of Moses, was so weak that he partnered with those who offered their gold jewelry to create a molten image.
We are told that the people who follow are as strong as their leaders.
When we rely on the strength of one leader and that leader leaves our space of influence, what do we do?
Perhaps the people were not ready to grow in strength, even those chosen by Moses to help.
Moses was on the mountain just forty days . . . a little over a month . . . and that was too long to be away.
He was obtaining words from God that would set parameters for God’s people for generations to come.
God was giving Moses what he needed to shepherd his people but the people could not even wait forty days!
This scenario is no different today.
We are impatient.
We want to leave our confined space and chat face-to-face.
We want a hug!
Our sense of communion with others is diminished no matter how many phone calls we make or how many video-conferences we attend weekly.
We want more.
Our need to worship together is causing pain to many.
Coming into the presence of God, receiving Him through Holy Communion, is an aching need for our soul.
Where is God!
Why is he not leading us out of this misery?
Why are so many dying around us and our prayers seem to be useless?
Those walking in the Sinai desert prayed the same prayers.
Grief grew as heavy then as it does now.
Yet, we are blessed with good teaching that we can receive in too many ways right where we are.
We are blessed with the knowledge of God:Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who is with us always, holding us tight, leading us, guiding us, loving us through our grief for those who are dying or who have died.
God created us in his image: strength, determination, fortitude, caring, loving, able to endure.
God will never leave us.
God sent his Son, Jesus to die a bloody death to remind us that He is always with us.
Delay?
We can deal.
We are blessed to know that God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is with us . . . always.
