God had it before the US Army

Romans 8:26-30

          Weakness is a term I was very aware of yesterday and so I am somewhat amused that in the very first sentence of today's scripture reading the word weakness appears. I was painfully aware of anger that I have been holding on to and my impatience with other drivers and how I react to them. And I hasten to add, I probably overlook my own driving faux pas and so I am feeling more than humbled.

           I believe that God loves us without reservation and wherever we are on our journey. With that in mind I do not beat myself up too much for my shortcomings because I am committed to change and growth personally, in my relationship to God and with my brother and sisters, all of which are inextricably intermingled.

           As always with translations we might bypass something very important here in this passage that follows some time after the reference to weakness. The word is saint. Most of us would think it is a term created by the Catholic church that is steeped in tradition and is for those who have attained the zenith of personal faith. Right now it is a long and highly regulated process to official sainthood.  But the reference to "saints" in the passage as they thought of it back then had very little to do with bureaucracy and a long process. The saints were the faithful. As such the saints were imperfect travellers but ones that were committed to trying to be holy and following the teachings and life of Jesus Christ.

            It's good to know at least a little about our faith from back in the day. So we may all be considered saints. I had already arrived at a similar notion myself when I noted people whom I had met that I believed had lived exemplary faithful lives but had not fallen into the spotlight or attention of Rome.  I call the late Anna C. Schuster a saint and I believe there is no doubt that God recognizes her as such even if Rome has not proclaimed it 'to make it official'.  I certainly don't believe I am even in the same class as Ms. Schuster but I do believe I am sainted by virtue of my faith, my attempts to recognize my faults and correct them and also align my actions with that of my Savour. 

            So while I may be painfully aware of my faults and my weaknesses, I like you, should be filled with the knowledge that God still loves you more than you can imagine and is your biggest fan and cheerleader in us trying to do better and be all that you can be. I think God had use of that phrase long before the United States Army laid claim to it.

      So, be all that you can be.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.