09-17-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 17, 2023
In Jonah 2, we read the words: "Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, ‘I called to the Lord out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.’" I don’t know about you, but I sure have never found myself in the belly of a large fish. But many of us know what it is like to feel trapped, alone, and afraid. It was Mahatma Gandhi who said, "Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is a daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart." There is nothing more deeply troubling to the heart of God than the cries of humanity, yet God does not leave those cries unanswered. I believe God’s spirit responds with a love that stretches out even to those who feel as if they have fallen beyond the divine reach. Know that your cries will never fall on indifferent ears. 

O Lord, who heard the voice of Jonah, we give you thanks for the way you continue to hear us and respond without condition. May your unwavering presence and unyielding love give us strength wherever we might find ourselves. Amen.