535AFC090205
Friday, September 2, 2005
Well, Beloved, it’s been a difficult week.
The Gulf Coast is decimated and hundreds die.
The terror of being terrorized results in the death of another thousand in Iraq.
The Janjaweed continue to murder, rape, torture, and dehumanize in Darfur and the Sudan.
It is a painful time, and so many of us call out “Why?!” God knows, but He’s not telling all of it to us because it is more than we can handle, I think. There is something in pain that brings about the grace of discernment; we are somehow better able to grasp the dichotomy of feeling our compassion expand the borders of our love for each other and at the same moment recognize the capacity inherent in all of us to be cruel or hateful, or even indifferent which is far worse than being hateful.
Yesterday a dear friend and coworker lost her battle with Lupus erythematosis, a devastating disease that causes the body to attack itself. She’s been with the company for years. Another blow in a very long week.
My friend, Caryn, now knows the Peace of God. Scores of thousands in the Deep South will be yearning for Peace over the coming weeks and months. Many will have already found it as they meet their creator. In Iraq, Peace will elude many, but be granted to those who trust in the mercy of God. For those of us who have not experienced these tragedies first-hand, there is the Peace that arises from knowing that our spiritual and corporal works of mercy will help console and comfort those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, the effects of violence, disaster, famine, pestilence, and illness of body, mind, or spirit. Scripture shows us this: Philippians 4:7 reads, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It is peace from God, peace with God, and the peace of God.
My heartfelt prayer for YOU today, and everyday in fact, is that such a Peace will characterize YOUR life, and that YOU will not hold your peace, but be held in Peace. Cry out against injustice, lift your voice for the oppressed, open your hands to the poor and lonely. What can we do when so much tragedy surrounds us? Here is Micah 6:8;
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
In my view, this is the path to Peace. Let’s walk it together with Him in whom all Peace resides.
chick
535AFC090205
Friday, September 2, 2005
Well, Beloved, it’s been a difficult week.
The Gulf Coast is decimated and hundreds die.
The terror of being terrorized results in the death of another thousand in Iraq.
The Janjaweed continue to murder, rape, torture, and dehumanize in Darfur and the Sudan.
It is a painful time, and so many of us call out “Why?!” God knows, but He’s not telling all of it to us because it is more than we can handle, I think. There is something in pain that brings about the grace of discernment; we are somehow better able to grasp the dichotomy of feeling our compassion expand the borders of our love for each other and at the same moment recognize the capacity inherent in all of us to be cruel or hateful, or even indifferent which is far worse than being hateful.
Yesterday a dear friend and coworker lost her battle with Lupus erythematosis, a devastating disease that causes the body to attack itself. She’s been with the company for years. Another blow in a very long week.
My friend, Caryn, now knows the Peace of God. Scores of thousands in the Deep South will be yearning for Peace over the coming weeks and months. Many will have already found it as they meet their creator. In Iraq, Peace will elude many, but be granted to those who trust in the mercy of God. For those of us who have not experienced these tragedies first-hand, there is the Peace that arises from knowing that our spiritual and corporal works of mercy will help console and comfort those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, the effects of violence, disaster, famine, pestilence, and illness of body, mind, or spirit. Scripture shows us this: Philippians 4:7 reads, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” It is peace from God, peace with God, and the peace of God.
My heartfelt prayer for YOU today, and everyday in fact, is that such a Peace will characterize YOUR life, and that YOU will not hold your peace, but be held in Peace. Cry out against injustice, lift your voice for the oppressed, open your hands to the poor and lonely. What can we do when so much tragedy surrounds us? Here is Micah 6:8;
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
In my view, this is the path to Peace. Let’s walk it together with Him in whom all Peace resides.
chick
About Chick Todd
American Roman Catholic reared as a "Baptiterian" in Denver Colorado. Now living on Kauaʻi. USAF Vet. Married for over 50 years. Scripture study has been my passion ever since my first "Bible talk" at age 6 in VBS.
