ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 5, 2026
I am amazed at nature’s capacity to rebound. Despite trying to water my lawn, there were sections that were looking pretty brown. In the past week, we’ve experienced some rainfall. Some of it was intense and didn’t have enough time to absorb into the soil. However, a few other rain showers were steady and prolonged, allowing the water to soak in effectively. Surprisingly, one plant in my backyard that I had questioned whether it would survive appears quite healthy this morning. With the rain, also came less direct sunlight hitting those plants, and especially those in my backyard, as there is very little shade between 10am – 3pm. It has been a remarkable turnaround in a very short period of time.
Human beings are resilient, though I don’t know if most of us bounce back that quickly. Life can knock us down pretty hard, and we can experience periods of time when it does not feel as though there is anything to quench our spiritual thirst. The lack of access or openness to the living water that is Christ’s love and mercy has no single explanation. My faith teaches me that this sacred, life-giving nourishment is always poured out in immeasurable abundance. However, for various reasons such as grief, anger, bitterness, suffering, pain, and so on, we fail to be receptive to it. In light of this, I believe that God is understanding and not frustrated or angry with us. God remains patient and gentle, while also being persistent. Thank God!
People often ask me how I know. It’s a statement of faith that I can’t prove, but the God I encounter in Jesus, alongside my personal experiences, leads me to believe it’s true.
Thank you, God of Abundant Grace and Goodness. I feel certain I have missed your outpouring of kindness even in the time it has taken me to read this, yet you are not like us. Your ego is not fragile or easily hurt when we fall short of your expectations. Unconditional love does not suddenly become conditional when we are slow to appreciate all you have and continue to do for us. Again, thank you! Amen.
