Friday, February 22

Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 62; Ezekiel 28:1-10; John 1-15; Galatians 6:7-18; Psalm 20

Most of us don’t have too many “A Ha!” moments in life: a moment when something that used to be confusing suddenly becomes crystal clear. That’s why it’s so easy for us to remember those moments much later. One of my “A Ha!” moments occurred during one of my seminary classes titled “Theology, Imagination & Construct: Part 1” (great name for a seminary class, eh). One day in that class we were discussing a German theologian by the name of Schleiermacher. One of the things Schleiermacher offered the world was a new understanding of what sin was; he suggested sin was defined as those times when the finite (that would be us) confused itself with the Infinite (that would be God). Those words helped me think about sin in new and exciting ways – ways that I’m still exploring seven years later! You might say that you could find the roots of Schleiermacher’s definition of sin in today’s passage from Ezekiel. For in that passage, the prophet suggests God is angry at the ruler of Tyre because, “In the pride of your heart you say, ‘I am god…” (Ezekiel 28:2 – NIV). The prophet concludes his critique in the same verse by noting “you are a man and not a god!” As the prophet (and Schleiermacher) pointed out, it’s so easy for us to get caught up in our accomplishments and achievements that we begin to blur the boundaries between God (the Infinite) and ourselves (the finite). Are there areas in your life where you’ve fallen prey to this dynamic? Areas where your achievements or accomplishments have fueled the unchecked growth of your ego and caused you to lose perspective? If so, the greatest antidote for ego is the Spirit which provides a sense of perspective and humility that we can’t obtain on our own. If we could, we would be the Infinite. My hope for us all is that we will never lose sight of the difference between who God is and who we are. Til next time…