Isaiah 65:17-25 or Malachi 4:1-2a
Isaiah 12:1-6 or Psalm 98
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Luke 21:5-19
The presence of God’s love and wisdom in this world has always created a tension at some level. Even Jesus said that his arrival here would bring trouble: “Don’t think that peace follows me to earth; it’s not peace that comes, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) This is not what one normally imagines would happen upon the arrival of the Lamb of God, the Great Shepherd. But even for him, this tension resulted in his execution on the cross.
So, why is there such tension in the world at the presence of God in Jesus, even today? We find the core of the answer in Isaiah, when he writes, “And God said, ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
God is love, and God creates out of love. God wants us to be loving, too. But love can only exist when it’s a choice, and that means there must be free will to make that choice. With free will, however, comes the possibility that bad choices will be made – choices that stem from things that cloud the soul, such as avarice, arrogance, power, wealth, prejudice, fear, and illusions. These ways are not God’s ways.
Historically, and even in today’s world, many of mankind’s social, economic, political, and religious systems are based on these bad choices. As a result, we end up with poverty, famine, diseases, unfair discrimination, economic inequality, waste, wars, and pollution. Some people benefit greatly at the expense of others by creating the power to nurture these lop-sided conditions. But these systems are sustained only when those controlling them maintain the power to do so. Change begins to happen when those who are oppressed are empowered to act.
This is where the tension emerges. Those in power (who do not want change to happen) strongly oppose those that do want the change. Current power structures are threatened; those in power could lose prestige, wealth, power, and visibility (all things of the dysfunctional ego). So they fight back, not realizing what the truths in life really are. It turns into a battle between egos versus hearts.
Jesus brought us a message of love that was welcomed by many people, but despised by others. Ultimately, his opponents arranged a mock trial and got him executed. But, as we know, even that didn’t stop him from promoting God’s love. And it shouldn’t stop us either! As Jesus stated in Luke 21, “You may be hated by all because of my Name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.”
Regardless of what happens to us, “all will be well,” as Julian of Norwich reminds us. We may suffer some trials and tribulations, but in the end, God will bring us to complete restoration and refreshment in His kingdom.
As Jesus and his disciples walked past the temple, “adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God,” Jesus predicted that not one of the stones will be left upon another – all would be thrown down. This lead to a description of what we often think of as the “end times.” Perhaps this is the final period of change, when Christ returns to establish what Isaiah calls “new heavens and a new earth.” (Isaiah 65:17) The eternal tension between mankind and God comes to a final resolution, and a new world order is instituted for all our good for all time.
But we don’t know when these end times will be. In the meantime, we have work to do here. We must continue to fight the good fight of love. And the best way to do this is to become the person you were truly meant to be, and to live your life to its fullest.
Each of us has been given some special gifts, talents, interests, and skills. Our main task is to find out what these are, and then use them to our fullest. Each person contributes to the overall good of God’s plan, regardless of what he or she does, as long as it’s being who were truly were made to be. We must learn to appreciate gifts not only in ourselves, but in others as well. Just because we have differences does not mean some are better and some are worse. They are all important to God!
Did you know that stopping to admire the beauty of a flower, or to appreciate its fragrance, is creating admiration and appreciation in this world? This is a wonderful creative gift that some people have!
Did you know that offering someone a smile or a kind word strengthens the invisible connections we have between each other, thus creating a stronger family of God? How powerful this talent of creation is!
Did you know that offering a prayer for someone else can actually create a new life in that person (or even in yourself)! The Kingdom grows stronger through this gift!
Don't measure your gifts and skills based on mankind’s standards. Remember that God’s ways are higher than our ways.
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