02-21-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 21, 2025
Does the metaphor of trying to keep all the plates spinning ever feel like an accurate description of your life? The other day, I realized that I had totally forgotten about a plate that thankfully was still spinning, but was beginning to lose some of its energy. I got distracted and found myself focused elsewhere. Sometimes I wonder if God gives a little spin to the important plates that we have forgotten? In my case, I think that plate should have fallen for lack of attention. 

How does God work in the world? Does God ever supersede free will? Does God intercede using supernatural forces or does God use people who can make the choice of saying Yes or No? Or does God say to us, “I gave you Jesus and a really clear picture of how you are to live and interact, so figure it out”? These are among the more challenging questions people of faith are asking, and how one chooses to answer them dramatically impacts how a person lives. Of course, I see people say one thing and live very differently, but that’s for another conversation. At the end of the day, I do not feel as if God has stepped away and said, “Figure it out!” At the same time, I believe God is extraordinarily cautious about removing free will, as love is entirely dependent on human beings freely choosing to love or not love, to accept love or reject love.

What do you think? How do you live your life? When you see something that needs to happen, what does your understanding of God tell you?

Whatever way you choose to work and interact with this world, God of Grace and Goodness, I pray for the capacity to live my life in such a way that I am serving your grace and goodness. Amen.