Shooting Stars and Other God Things
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In October I saw a shooting star. It was awesome. We were in Texas on a retreat at this place we go called Laity Lodge that is freakishly perfect and beautiful. And dark, really dark, at night. The view of the stars is amazing and every time we visit I make Pete stare at the heavens for a long time at least one night while we are there.
And I wonder about what in the heck Abraham must have been thinking when God said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you think you can count them.” He continued, “This is how many children you will have.” (Genesis 15:5 CEB) And then Sarah was barren. How do any of us make sense of that?
Russ Ramsey says in his book Behold the Lamb of God that every story God tells is filled with glory – and of course, how can I argue with this? It’s true!!! But it is also chock full of strange things and mundane acts that continue to highlight the reality that we both bear the very image of God while simultaneously demonstrating our willingness to litter and call each other naughty names.
This is key information. The volunteer ballot bearer, the well-heeled woman in her finery, the two dudes practically coming to blows over the best selection for Commissioner of Revenues for our county and even cowardly me who did not step in and defend a decent woman…we are all both fully human – in both the best and worst sense of that word.
This absolutely MUST impact my choices. I must find grace for the mistakes made – even my own… I must find a way to love who God loves and support what God supports. I need to ask the kind of questions that guide me toward the light.
[ What does the Lord require? ]
With what should I approach the Lord and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves?
~ Micah 6:6, CEB
It isn’t about what we want to do or need to do or should do or shouldn’t. There is no one-size fits all response. But there are responses to be made. This God who invites us to look up and admire his handiwork is the same God who encourages us to be transformed through his mercy. I want that life.
….to be continued
