WordsofWisdomApril2

p2. April 9-16 Covenant:
April 9. �Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant� (Mark 10:43). How could a church whose founding figure said this turn out to be so hierarchical?!? A church of popes, bishops, elders, priests- where are the servants? Deacons may be the closest, but gay waiters and lesbian delivery persons may be more of what Jesus had in mind. The carefully guarded secret is that Jesus did not actually found the church. His followers did, and rather loosely on his teachings. Jesus was more interested in the movement of the Spirit than in institutionalizing it. Encircle us with the movement of your Spirit that we may commune with a Christ without walls.

April 10. �So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matthew 10:26-28). We have passed through fire that did not consume us and many waters that could not quench our love. The laws that denied us our bodies have been rolled away with the stone closing Jesus� tomb. Out of closets of death our souls have been raised with Christ, undefeated and victorious.

April 11. Love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it (Song of Solomon 8:6-7). Lord, thank you for your love that cannot die. Bless us with a passion for justice that makes us live.

April 12. He sees many things, but does not observe them (Isaiah 42:20). A twist! In Isaiah it is not only the people who are blind; the Lord�s servant is also blind. Jesus could see that he himself was the blind servant whom Isaiah described (Luke 4:18-21). So, how was Jesus blind? Jesus does not see our sins. People see many of my sins and yours. God sees them all. But Jesus is blind by means of his ministry of forgiveness, he is blind to sin. And for Jesus� sake, God sees our sins �but does not observe them.� For the blindness of Jesus, thanks be to God!

April 13. Jesus said, �According to your faith let it be done to you (Matthew 9:29).� We suppose that Jesus could simply have given sight to the blind men by divine power, but he did not. He first asked if they believed and then, underscoring the point healed them in a conditional way: �according to your faith.� Where can we get this all important faith? The story about Christ dying and rising to save us itself creates or refreshes our faith. A steady diet of God�s magnificent goodness to us in Christ will nourish our faith and we can receive those things that are done �according to your faith.� Holy Spirit, increase my faith! Amen.

April 14. God made us, God loves us! �For God so loved the world that God gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (John 3:16).� Passion begins with God. You are the work of God�s hands. You have been made in God�s divine likeness. God passionately loves you. That�s awesome, because we usually don�t feel worthy of human love, let alone divine love. But that�s why God sent that message in human flesh�Jesus�so we wouldn�t be overwhelmed. And unlike many other passions, this love is forever. God, help me love the world as you do: the whole of it, not just my small corner.

April 15. God is with you, always, and everywhere. O God, where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there (Psalm 139:7-8). God will meet us anywhere. He is with us on dates, during sex, in bars, at 12 step meetings, in school, at home, at the gym, in stores, and anywhere else we go. God will meet us anywhere. God is our most intimate friend. God has seen us naked. God knows our thoughts, words, deeds, and intentions. Thank you for being there, God.

April 16. Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord (Psalm 130:1). Suffering itself is not good by definition. But for God�s people, suffering will come to a good: to know God�s love, that God�s love is steadfast. In many biblical texts God�s people cry to the Lord, from the very depths of danger, death, or disastrous national defeat. There is never doubt that God can help, but knowing God is free, they pray earnestly that God will choose to help: �Lord, hear my voice!� God is mighty, and God is merciful. God of steadfast love, thank you for showing mercy to me. Amen.