Thursday, March 15, 2012

God’s Geography

Genesis 46:1-7, 28-34
Before leaving for Egypt to be reunited with Joseph, Jacob experienced a vision from God. “Then (the Lord) said, ‘I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there. I myself will go down with you to Egypt…’" (Genesis 46:3-4a). God’s promise to Jacob is to be with him and to watch over him even as he travels to a foreign land. As is always the case, God is not bound by human geography or politics. God transcends the lines that human beings are so fond of drawing.

In our own day we are quite fond of labeling each other. Words such as liberal or conservative are thrown about like slurs or insults. We find it far too easy to except the worst stereotypes of one another based on race, culture, or language. And then, once we have put our boundaries in place we expect God to see things our way. This has never been the case. God has never been confined to the promised land (Genesis 12:1-9), never been stuck in the temple (Ezekiel 1:1-3, 28b), never been relegated to heaven (John 1:14). God, like the Spirit, goes where God wills, chooses whom God chooses, blesses whom God blesses. This is God’s geography, God’s way of interacting with the world. If we would be of service to God (and the world) we should learn to see things God’s way and not expect God to see things our way.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we try to control you or confine you. Instead, help us to be open to what you are doing in the world. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

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