Listens
Joshua 9:1-10:43
"The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and waited to go down for a full day. That has never happened at any time before that day or since. That was the day the Lord listened to a human being. Truly the Lord was fighting for Israel!" (Joshua 10:13-14)
What a coincidence... it seems that Jewish people around the world just celebrated a special "blessing of the sun"... which they believe was in the same place Wednesday as when the world was created. This special event is only celebrated once every 28 years, and though I at first thought it had to do with this scripture, the events appear quite unrelated. The relation however... is looking toward the sun and admiring God's power in creation.
Still more powerful than the sun in this scripture is verse 14. "That was the day the Lord listened to a human being." There are several passages in scripture where people not only call out to the Lord in prayer but seem to be engaged in conversation with our God. And our Lord listens! One is right here in Joshua, others occur with Moses and Abraham. This apparent aspect of God's character seems especially relevant in light of Easter... we serve and love and adore a living God... a God who engages in conversation with us, who guides us, who was and is and is to come!
Loves
Psalm 44:1-3
"But it was your great power and strength. You were with them because you love them." (Psalm 44:3)
God's love is what I perhaps can't quite conceptualize. His protection, power and strength are granted to us out of the great love that He has for each one of us. When we can't take any more, God can. Reflecting on Easter, I am reminded of an image the Dick Shreckhise presented to me: it's like we're carrying around a bowling ball. It's heavy and huge and not very fashionable. But then, God comes and says, "Here. Put that down. Give it to me. I'll take it." And suddenly, we feel so light. God's love is like that... it's the forgiveness that frees us from carrying around our sins that are so heavy. His strength, from His love, takes the weight away from us.
Labels
Luke 10:1-24
"...because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20)
Shakespeare asking, "What is in a name?" And while specific names may not be that important, knowing names and naming things give value to them. The botanist recognizes each flower and calls it by name, recognizing its qualities and unique beauty. A linguist recognizes dialectal traits and phonemes, miscues and transfer characteristics. Recognizing the importance of names, I make it a priority to learn my students' names as soon as possible. I hope to learn half of the class' names by the end of the first day. And even when I meet someone, I will make a conscious effort to commit that name to memory... because knowing someone's name implies that effort- that value... you are important and so I want to know you... starting with the very basic, your name. God knows us all... by name... by everything about us. And we should be happy that our names are written in heaven.
The disciples in this passage went out and felt very pleased with themselves that the demons and spirits paid attention to them. But Jesus reminded them why that happened and where that power came from... the fact that their names were written in heaven. Lord, may I always recognize that the power comes from You. Whatever I may be able to do, however I may be able to serve and show You to others, it is You who is working through me. Please work through me this week... in whatever opportunities may arise.
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