Ok, I start by Googling “Tour de France” to see where Lance is in the standings. There’s a link to an article about Africa by one of my favorite modern “saints” and thirty mintues later this came out...
Lately I find myself craving tangible signs of redemption. As I say that, I’m only too well aware that Jesus warned “a wicked and adulterous generation” that no sign would be given them except “the sign of Jonah” (Mt. 16:4). I don’t think my longing is one of rebellious unbelief, though: I’m in this faith-thing for the long haul. I do choose to trust the God who already displayed his sign-language at the Red Sea, Cross and Empty Tomb. He doesn’t owe me anything and he certainly doesn’t need to prove anything after that. I’m with this God who raises the dead. But I must admit, it is so refreshing to see tangible expressions of God’s new life working in the dark places of our world. I long to see Jesus respond to us as he did to John’s disciples: “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor” (Lk. 7:22).
In his kindness, I must say, God has responded to this longing. Not as often, or as neatly, or as predictably as I would like. But I am so grateful for the places I have seen his fingerprints and have heard the whispers of his presence lately. I have seen the audacity of faith proclaimed by his people in the host of funerals our church has had to endure in recent days. I have seen and heard the miracle of life in the words of a friend and the smile of a baby that all of the doctors said would not be alive today. And then this afternoon, I came across the words of one of my favorite prophets, Bono, who testifies about redemption on a societal scale on the very continent which has witnessed unspeakable brutality and death (see the article “Rebranding Africa” at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/opinion/10bono.html?ex=1262836800&en=805a3a73547a8e54&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=OP-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M105-ROS-0709-HDR&WT.mc_ev=click
No, these glimpses do not quench my soul’s thirst for this world to be different than it is. But at least today, I find these hints of grace awakening hope that the promise really is true: “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed” (Rom. 8:18).
2 comments:
Dean, I understand your thoughts and though I can't express mine as well as you, I know what you mean. I have been on this path a long time and I know that our God is a God of miracles. I see more and more everyday as my eyes are opened wider and my heart is open and much more receptive. I have seen the miracles happen in other peoples lives and in my own, like never before. Maybe I am more aware now, maybe just more in tuned, but the more I turn my life over to him the more I am amazed by him. I am grateful for your involvement in my life and spiritual awakening, I still can't get over how much God speaks to me through you and Terry. I used to say "keep the faith" to friends... now I think "enjoy the faith" expresses it much better. So my friend, enjoy the faith.
Don
I like that line: "enjoy the faith." Sometimes we work so hard that this "religion" deal, we miss the joy of the journey of faith. Great line my friend!
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