In the Loop; In the Spirit

Human relationships are complex. We definitely have an inner need for more than what we are. In fully recognizing and practicing our togetherness as people we should gain an appreciation for the coveted relationship of unity with God. We cannot be dwellers in God without being in union with him. This wonderful aspect of life will continue to have its influence upon us.
When a man recently stood under the stars, exclaiming as he gazed at the myriad constellations, “I know there is a God,” he was realizing his relationship and union with the Creator. This declaration has been repeated countless times. When Abraham stood beneath the stars and believed God’s promise, he realized himself as one living his life in God.
Consequently when we stand in awe at all the wonders of God we continue to grow in a positive and spiritually creative direction. We grow with a conscious awareness of abiding in God. We are aware of our life in him and his life in us.
Our worship under this awareness becomes more consecrated. And our devotion grows into experiences of new heights and joys. In the midst our relationships to others become more than momentary self-serving flings, they take on significance. They take on the significance given us by God’s relationship to us. In this there is no eminent divorce in the future, at least on God’s behalf.

Life is a puzzle. Life is a mystery. Life is confusing. Often we wonder if we can make sense of it. There is an unqualified conviction that Christ can be the key. Christ can and does make sense out of it. He accomplishes this by his life and the giving of that life. Led to slaughter but wait a minute, he’s back! Life should be seen through the lens that there’s more to life than this world. Life is larger than what appears before us. It is so much larger through Christ. In the midst of life’s quandary, Hello Jesus!

The gospel writers recorded the comings and goings of the burial routine. Joseph of Arimathea, undoubtedly using his influence, secures custody of the body. Presumably with the help of a few others (John mentions Nicodemus) the corpse is wrapped in a linen shroud and placed in the tomb. The great stone that served as a door is heaved into place and the men depart. Nothing is said. There is nothing to say.
From a little distance the whole procedure is watched by two silent women. Night will fall and dawn will come with nothing changed. Is there any hint of more to come? Is there any suggestion of expectation in their stunned, silent grief? What were they thinking: “How that man trusted God!” and “Where is God at a time like this?”?
This sweetheart trusted God and God was there for her. Now she is with God. What seemed like the end was only the beginning in Christ.

Bethany was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Jesus often visited in their home. Bethany was where Lazarus was raised from the dead. It was the place where Mary and Martha “crossed over” from sorrow and sadness to comfort, strength, and understanding.
Our “Bethany” may well be the church where overcoming and renewal in body, mind, and soul takes place in baptism and repentance. The experience of church is where we “cross over” from the old to the new. It is actually the forsaking of the old life and making entrance into the new. The crossing over is the renewing of our inner self.
Church is where we can “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Here we seek the abundant life in Christ who makes a better makes way for us. Here we cross over into the new life.

The fact is that we often are perplexed by today’s world. One word that is used so commonly in church is the word Amen. It is actually an exclamation point, a reinforcing sound that means, “It is really so!” It is a word that helps questions galore. In the church and in the mystery of life it sets us out to explore, questions are to be found in abundance. But Christ is “the Amen.” Christ takes our perplexities and keeps us from despair, even using them as digging tools into the acres of truth which are in him. Life can never be what it is intended to be unless we find the “Amen” in a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ.

Each and every person has their own little battles that fight day to day, month to month or beyond. In the midst of battling things like cancer etc., one sometimes becomes embroiled in a second battle. In his struggle with cancer, treatments, hospitalization, dialysis and more, his rent was raised. Now, a veteran, on fixed income, had to figure out how to survive housing in the midst of surviving cancer. Last month, he made the move to his new place. Today, I will be doing his funeral. Today, he moves on to another place. He resides no longer in the midst of battles. Yet, for how many will there be a battle today?

Israel and Palestine arranged for a prisoner swap. It wasn’t completely satisfying to everyone. How can one love when there are those who solely wreak havoc on the lives of others? Are we fooling ourselves to think it is possible? Christ saw people as they were but he also saw them as they could be. Read Matthew 8 and then try to discover how Christ would look at those we find it hard to love. Our attitude can change not on our own but through Christ’s understanding. This may enable us to love one another.

All around the world people are picketing on the streets for change. Much of our life shows no radical changes. Mostly life is a matter of improvement and adjustment. But sometimes there are big changes. We fall in love and our life is altered. A child comes into our lives and it requires changes. A person figures out what they want to do in life. These changes give rebirth and renewal to ordinary life. But most change is not our doing. It simply happens. Then we celebrate. In this same way God comes to us and changes us maybe through adjustments, maybe in the huge impact, but in either course it brings new life. In this we should definitely celebrate.

Washington continues to wrestle with options rather than implement them. It seems their world isn’t simply black or white. It is complicated with many things in it. Yet, they seem so sure to hold on to their political opinions as a hard core liberal or conservative, if those terms even exist anymore. It would be better to have a questioning mind rather than a closed one. But there is one who asks for a simple yes or no. Christ doesn’t say he is truthful, he says he is the truth. This requires us not to look at both sides of the issues but at the truth. We look at Christ and then examine the claims of Washington’s best, if that term even exists anymore.

Casey Anthony and Amanda Knox, the jury is out on both of them. The situations are certainly perplexing. But then does anyone really understand their own actions? Sometimes we are an example of patience, the next we are screaming banshees. There also is life itself when we realize that illusions have been shattered and goals achieved seem empty. Life can be perplexing and we all find ourselves sometimes as a mystery. But God does understand the perplexity of life and enters into it full throttle. Jesus comes to help unravel the mystery that is we ourselves. What have you discovered through Christ?