ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
November 14, 2021
Do you feel good? I know it is a strange question, especially with no context. Today in worship, I will be looking back at the words from Genesis 1 where we read of a God who looked upon what had been created and saw that it was good. In fact, at the end of the acts of creation, God sees that it is all very good. During Graduate School, I had an Old Testament professor who often pointed to how the word “good” not only described God’s opinion of us (or how God values us), but also a directive to how we are to live. To be good is to live a life that both respects everyone else’s goodness and encourages others to live into their goodness. Often we read the words from Genesis 1 as only recipients of God’s declaration, but like so often in scripture, there is an additional responsibility. Sarah and Abraham learned how they were going to be blessed. Their minds might have immediately gone crazy with all the good stuff they thought they were about ready to receive, but God of course added an additional responsibility. They would be blessed so they could be a blessing to others. Do you ever feel like a lot of religions, including Christianity, are really interested in the first part (what can I get from God), but not all that interested in the expectation God has of those who are the recipients of whatever God is providing?
I am overwhelmed by your love, mercy and kindness, O God of the Universe. As I am bursting at the seams from your generosity, I hope to be aware of what you are asking of me. You might need to be rather blunt. Amen.
