Last month was a tough month for our country. Bombing at the Boston Marathon, explosions in Texas. A lot of life lost, a lot of confidence shaken. While the two who perpetrated last month’s act of hatred in Boston were in hiding or “on the lam”, many more who love others ran towards danger to serve. They were not worried about a second, third, or fourth explosion, they just wanted to serve others, even if it meant they could be in danger, themselves. We certainly send our prayers for those in Boston who were injured and members of the three families who lost their loved ones. We also pray for those in Waco who are struggling though such a horrific event as well. The first responders and coworkers at both events, who so willingly risked their lives to serve others, were amazing!
As I saw the images in Boston that unfolded of those who sought to help, I thought – without knowing what faith they practiced – isn’t that the gospel story? Isn’t that what the good news is about? God who so loved the cosmos – that which was created by divine Word, and given life with divine Breath – was so willing to rush into the very chaos we created, and surrendered divine life to save us! Wow! And when we see humans doing the same, it should give us hope. Not that life is guaranteed to go on as usual, but it can continue as righteous, even in the midst of the unusual or horrific.
I do not know what tomorrow holds for this country – inept politics, on both sides of the aisle don’t hold to much promise – or for the world, but the one thing I do know is that righteousness will shine through the darkness. And as we saw through the smoke and dust, as our eyes refocused after the blast, it will shine brightly! You see, as a historian, I’ve read the past scripts of history; governments come and go, empires have risen and fallen, tyrants have raged and foamed at the mouth, even the “church” has made grievous mistakes, but the righteousness or right-relationships of God’s love – thinking of others before self – has always prevailed.
We are a people who become distracted by dysfunction. In the garden, “Don’t worry what God said, go ahead take what you desire.” In the wilderness, “God, you’re just going to give us bread?” In the promise land, “We want a king like the other nations…” At the foot of the cross, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” But each time, God’s righteousness prevailed, maybe not always right away, but in God’s time.
It’s amazing, how when we realize God is at the center of all things, how faith can be resurrected. Resurrected faith gives opportunities to live resurrected lives. Come hear the “Resurrected Lives” series, Sundays at Zion over the next few weeks, beginning May 5th. Come hear of God’s righteousness shining in the darkness, a light that darkness cannot overcome. Come and see and hear. “The Lord has risen! He has risen indeed! Hallelujah!”
Shalom,
Pastor Tim
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