How Long?
How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame?
How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?
–David, Psalm 4:2
I am the father of four kiddies. We proudly owned and used up two minivans through their growing-up years. We made trips in them. So you know that I have heard the question above about…a millions times?
The Psalmists, David and others, raised that question often, too. Usually pointing their fingers at God, directly or indirectly. Truth was, God didn’t often cause whatever problem they were railing against. They held the notion of God being in charge of EVERYTHING even more tightly than we; so ultimately, God was responsible. We still affirm that God holds the whole world in the Divine hands, for sure. We are less likely to blame God for everything, however. We persist in holding tightly to the notion that God can—and will—bail us out. So…how long before that happens in 2020?!?
We don’t like not knowing the answer to that question. We don’t know the answer. And we won’t for a while. Of course, two days is longer than we like. Two weeks a really long time. Two months?!? Argh!! That’s forever! Just like the Psalmist, who railed and flailed against the seeming-Diving indifference, we realize, usually in hindsight, that God is not indifferent at all. We are challenged to pay attention a little more closely. Which fits right in with our Lenten theme of Preparing the ground. Listening. Journaling. Praying.
Be as honest and angry with God as you need to be. God can take it. Been taking it pretty much since the plague that descended on Eden. After you got the questions out of your system, be prepared to be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46). Being still means waiting. Wait! We’re already doing that!! That means we’re already ahead of the process. We grab the certainty we can; and we ask…and listen…and wait in faith and hope. Even though we are keeping our social distance, we are still waiting together.
I am in the office regularly. It’s almost like staying home for me. So stay in touch! Give me a call. We’ll wait together.
Prayer: O God, we affirm that you are the giver of every good and perfect gift. Right now, we and our leaders need wisdom. Some of us also need a really big dose of patience. Bless us with everything we need for these days; in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Zomermaand
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