When I was ordained, I had a feeling of inadequacy. I was not the leader that God typically, invariably, seemed to choose. When confronted with blasphemers and those that should be rebuked, I could not whip out the apparently appropriate Scripture passage with which to beat down infidels and make them submit. I also had seen those people that were able to rattle off Scripture quotes, chapter and verse. I was not one of them. And yet, God has chosen me. Hmm. Curiouser and curiouser.
Obeying rules meticulously and quoting holy Scripture does not a holy person make. It may simply mean that you are good at memorization. It may mean that you never really reach out to love others in a meaningful way because living the two great commandments requires thought, challenges and stretching of your heart and mind. How many men over the years bought their positions in the church with money, that is the stuff of the Reformation. How many positions in the Church have gone to those that are part of some other 'brotherhood' that has nothing to do with God's love but more with revolting human actions preying on the helpless?
God it seems does not use the same standards we would prefer to set for judgments of others or ourselves. Being baptized into 'the one and only true church' or some such guarantees nothing. If it did why did the Word become incarnated and come to walk among us when the patriarchs had already received the words oh so long ago? Even with Christ, does claiming to be a Christian guarantee you anything? Has your spot in heaven been earmarked and reserved? Perhaps it's reserved but will you show up?
That may be the question of the day. Will you show up? Show up to live faithfully, show up to love your brothers and sisters? Will you show up to live up to whatever faithful vows you have proclaimed?
Saying something is far less important than how you act, than actually showing up. My husband and I have no interest in who comes to our funerals when that comes to pass. We've discussed this and what is more important to us, and to God, is who shows up during the living.
For showing up and for our actions, we pray.
Romans 9:1-18
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah,who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
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