God, period.

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God, period.

Monday, December 7, 2015

Second Week of Advent

Luke 5:18-24

A man was lowered on a stretcher through the roof in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven … Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven, or to say, ‘Rise and walk?’” … then he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

Mostly we don’t take our sins nearly as seriously as our broken bones, our cancers, our fibromyalgias or even our headaches. But Jesus says that God does.

Take our sins seriously. We separate ourselves from our source and don’t even realize how alone we are. So God comes alongside and whispers, “I love you.” In his compassion, Jesus looks at his visitor and says, “God forgives you.”

Is that what the paralyzed man expected? Didn’t he expect Jesus to touch him and heal his illness, as he had countless others? What stories flew before Jesus as he traveled from town to town? Surely not stories of forgiveness, but stories of healing.

In church yesterday we were asked about what we trust. Do I trust in God-plus-my-plan-for-my life or do I trust in God, period? We have received wonderful gifts as human beings, which allow us to create, to plan, to live simultaneously in the past, present and future. We have amazing imaginations and will power. We are strong and smart and asked by God to care for the rest of creation.

But these gifts so often get in the way of my relationship with God. God is NOT part of creation. God made me and everything else.

And God says that my relationship with him is the foundation for everything in my life – health and creativity and work. As I plan things I forget this over and over. And so God comes alongside me over and over to whisper, “I love you.” And Jesus touches my soul and says, “God forgives you. Rise up and walk.”

We walk on your highway, Lord, your holy way, and as we feel your touch and know how close you are, we sing your songs of everlasting joy. In the desert, streams burst forth around us and burning sands become pools of living water. Deaf ears open, blind eyes clear, and the tongues of the mute sing. Praise you, Father, as you delight in giving us the Kingdom.

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