Today’s scripture: Isaiah 60 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (David Zier):
Verse 18 of today’s passage:
Violence shall no more be heard in your land,
devastation or destruction within your borders;
you shall call your walls Salvation,
and your gates Praise.
I realize there are weather events and accidents that cause devastation and destruction, but this passage is really about the devastation that we all do to ourselves and to each other.
As I read this passage, I think to myself, “Why can’t we live this way?” No more violence, devastation, or destruction. Many sacred places that allow for healing and salvation. Why not now? This is something that takes time. It doesn’t happen in a moment; Or a day; Or a week. But what do we do to cultivate this kind of living? What do we do to promote this kind of attitude?
We can start a peace movement! We can strive to be the kind of church that is a place of healing, salvation and praise. What impact could that have? It might depend on how it is we come together.
We each need to have a heart attitude that God was giving to the Israelites in the words above. How do we get to that place? For me, spending time with God provides me time of stillness and peace, and the time to seek God and look inward to see where I need to grow and change. “God, awaken me to how I can understand myself more and why I do the things I do, help me to love more like you do, and help me to treat others the way you want me to.” As I do this, and pray like that often, and sit and listen and explore with God, no matter where I go, there it is. I find myself thinking about it as I go about my day. And then there are those times, “God, help me not be oblivious and not self aware.” I am not perfect yet, but I am perfecting. “Telios” is a Greek word used in Bible translated as “perfect” in the new testament, but it really means something like, “growth to maturity.”
And when we come together, connect with each other and God, and worship and praise, do service and acts of peace and justice, and allow God to create that place for healing and salvation among us, we can create that peaceful place that will spread beyond. When we come together, as diverse people, seeking that peace and that place of healing and salvation, the words we say at LifeJourney Church become more real than:
Married, divorced, or single here, It’s one family that mingles here.
Conservative or liberal here, We’ve all gotta give a little here.
Big or small here, There’s room for us all here.
Doubt or believe here, We all can receive here.
Gay, trans, or straight here, There’s no hate here.
Woman or man here, Everyone can here.
Whatever your race here, For all of us, grace here.
At LifeJourney Church, our vision is to come as close as possible to modeling that unity in diversity.
This could be the modern day words for what Jesus said was the greatest commandment: Love God with all that you are, and Love others as yourself. When we do that, it creates a place of no violence, it creates a place of healing; and it creates a place for God’s salvation.
So how about it? What would it take for you to live this way?
Thought for the day: What do I need to do to live into Jesus own words when asked of the greatest commandment: love God with all that I am, and love others as myself?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.