Today’s Readings: Psalm 29; Leviticus 25:1-17; Luke 21:29-38; Philippians 4:14-23; Psalm 46
One of the recent developments I’ve noticed during this political season is a rising sense of urgency that has overtaken the American public. In previous election cycles, people would talk about problems primarily at the theoretical level (i.e. what’s the best way to combat crime, what should we do about the budget deficit, etc). Sadly, so many problems have become so pressing that we no longer have the luxury of simply talking in the abstract. The conversations have all taken on a sense of incredible urgency! Folks are talking about a financial bailout plan that needs to be passed – not next session but in a matter of days; folks are talking about whether we should drill for oil off shore or pass a spending bill to support alternative forms of energy – not in the distant future, but starting next January; folks are talking about when to withdraw the troops from Iraq – not in terms of years, but in months. Everything under discussion seems to have a short time-line involved. While we might like to think we are the first generation facing such a sense of urgency, the truth is we’re not. You can feel a similar sense of urgency in today’s words from the Gospel of Luke. In comparing their times to a fig tree, Jesus says, “… when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off… be on your guard” (Luke 21:31 & 34 from The Message). So what’s the worst thing you can do during times of urgency? Nothing. Jesus warns, “Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise” (Luke 21:34-35 from The Message). While it’s easy for us to grasp the urgency of the world events around us, it’s often much more difficult to feel a sense of spiritual urgency in our daily lives. That’s why spiritual matters often fall to the bottom of our “To Do” lists – because we always assume we’ll have more time to tend to those matters. My sense, however, is that we have things backward. In the midst of a world with pressing challenges all around us, the very best place to start is by tending our spiritual lives. So how would you characterize your approach to your spiritual life? Do you have a sense of importance and urgency as you tend to your relationship with God, or have you put that relationship at the bottom of your “To Do” list – something to get to after “the really important stuff” is out of the way? Til next time…
One of the recent developments I’ve noticed during this political season is a rising sense of urgency that has overtaken the American public. In previous election cycles, people would talk about problems primarily at the theoretical level (i.e. what’s the best way to combat crime, what should we do about the budget deficit, etc). Sadly, so many problems have become so pressing that we no longer have the luxury of simply talking in the abstract. The conversations have all taken on a sense of incredible urgency! Folks are talking about a financial bailout plan that needs to be passed – not next session but in a matter of days; folks are talking about whether we should drill for oil off shore or pass a spending bill to support alternative forms of energy – not in the distant future, but starting next January; folks are talking about when to withdraw the troops from Iraq – not in terms of years, but in months. Everything under discussion seems to have a short time-line involved. While we might like to think we are the first generation facing such a sense of urgency, the truth is we’re not. You can feel a similar sense of urgency in today’s words from the Gospel of Luke. In comparing their times to a fig tree, Jesus says, “… when you see these things happen, you know God’s kingdom is about here. Don’t brush this off… be on your guard” (Luke 21:31 & 34 from The Message). So what’s the worst thing you can do during times of urgency? Nothing. Jesus warns, “Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise” (Luke 21:34-35 from The Message). While it’s easy for us to grasp the urgency of the world events around us, it’s often much more difficult to feel a sense of spiritual urgency in our daily lives. That’s why spiritual matters often fall to the bottom of our “To Do” lists – because we always assume we’ll have more time to tend to those matters. My sense, however, is that we have things backward. In the midst of a world with pressing challenges all around us, the very best place to start is by tending our spiritual lives. So how would you characterize your approach to your spiritual life? Do you have a sense of importance and urgency as you tend to your relationship with God, or have you put that relationship at the bottom of your “To Do” list – something to get to after “the really important stuff” is out of the way? Til next time…
No comments:
Post a Comment