No Exchange Policy

Jeremiah 2:1-13, 29-32
Romans 1:16-25
Portions of two of today’s readings intersect to offer a word of warning for those whose attention is not on God and the divine will. “Cross to the coasts of Cyprus and look,” we read in Jeremiah, “send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has ever been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for something that does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, be shocked, be utterly desolate, says the LORD…” (Jeremiah 2:10-12). In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes the same point clear, saying, “they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever!” (Romans 1:25). In each case, the issue is one of idolatry, the placing of anything – any aspect of life, any activity, any idea or concept – between ourselves and God. The people of Israel had “changed gods,” according to the prophet, had chosen to serve “the creature rather than the Creator,” in the words of Paul. As a result, the heavens should be “appalled… shocked… (and) utterly desolate,” according to Jeremiah.

While it is easy to place such comments in the past tense and therefore to see them as historic failings, we ourselves must continually be aware of our own focus, that in which we place our ultimate allegiance. The problem, even within the Christian community, is that we find the idolatries of others to be so much worse than those we carry. We easily remove the speck from the eye of fellow believers while the log remains firmly lodged in our own. Why is that? Why is it that people of faith have so much trouble finding common cause on this issue? If nothing else, we Christians should be able to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our day to day lives and God’s help in our effort to cast aside whatever it is that blocks our view of God’s will. We all fall short of God’s intentions. We all have “changed gods” at some point in our lives. We all have been bedazzled by the creature and lost sight of the Creator, if only for a season or for a moment. We all stand in humble need of God’s forgiveness and grace, and it seems to me that prayers of confession should replace words of accusation and acrimony on all levels.

Then, perhaps, once we have recognized our common plight as sinners in need of redemption, we can pray for one another, humbly and honestly seeking what is best even for those with whom we disagree strongly, for God’s glory is certainly not served in our willful disregard for the hurts and needs of others any more than by our inability to remain focused on the one by whose grace we all live.

Prayer: Lord of light and life, we confess that we have not always followed you and your will for our lives. Forgive us when we allow anything to distract our attention from your glory, and restore us in our faithful obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Finding God in Creation

Romans 1:16-25

Among theologians there is a difference of opinion as to whether or not one can come to know God through creation—the beauty of a sunset, for example—as opposed to what is revealed in scripture. I don’t intend to enter into that debate, but I do find interesting what Paul has to say in our reading from Romans today.

Paul's purpose is to show that unbelievers have no excuse in denying the presence of God. “Ever since the creation of the world,” he writes, “(God’s) eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made” (Romans 1:20). Remember the words of Psalm 8: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them” (Psalm 8:3-4)? There is something to that, of course. What power on earth could ever create the sort of beauty and wonder that we see everyday of our lives? How could there not be a God?

And then comes a tsunami.

If God really is responsible for creation, if God really does bring all that is into existence, why would we as human beings be subjected to such a "natural" disaster, such horror in the created order? The easy way around that question is to say, “I don’t know.” And that is the truth. But there is more to it, for in times of disaster, times of loss and pain, God’s presence is still known, still evident if invisible. Note the concern for the people of Japan that has risen up in the days since the earthquake. Remember the generous acts of kindness shown. Think of the courage and the bravery that many have displayed working to save the lives of others. Consider the ways that science has worked to reduce the damage that may have been done by such a catastrophe in decades past. Yes, nature presents us with horrible events. But God’s grace remains active in the lives and gifts of people like you and me.

In the days since the tsunami someone in Japan has read my blog on a number of occasions. I have no way of knowing who, of course, but I hope and pray that I have offered even the smallest amount of comfort. If I have, then surely that is a sign of God’s grace as well for which I take no credit.

Prayer: O God, bless those who suffer this day with the knowledge of your presence, and open the hearts and hands of all people, that generosity may flow and compassion be shared. Amen.