WATCHWORD:
13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. Genesis 9:13
34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35
Meditation:
Wrapped Gifts
In a recent My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers uses the phrase “My rainbow in the cloud.” While he was not specifically referencing forgiveness, that was the first thought that came to me. I saw the rainbow as if it were a “lamp unto my feet”, a calming of storms in my life, that overwhelming sense of relief when a fear that had caused so my anxiety, was fully and completely removed.
In our prayer life, we often load up our requests to God with all kinds of thoughts, ideas, ‘asks’ for healing, for mending, for overcoming. But I wonder if that is the human’s way of being unfaithful, or at the very least, ungrateful. Let me explain.
While living in Cincinnati, I was asked to do a brief homily regarding an outreach program for which I was a part. The thought of speaking to our large congregation was daunting for me and I expressed that to my Pastor Jerry Kirk. In his wisdom and faith, he explained to me that overcoming that anxiety was a measure of faith in God. My first thought was, no, I am just anxious! My second thought was, Yes, I guess I need to trust the Lord.
In the Chambers meditation, he says: “Why doesn’t God save me? He already has. Why doesn’t God do everything we ask? He has done it. All the great blessings of God are finished and complete but they are not mine until I enter into a relationship of trust with Him on the basis of His covenant.”
We hear James tell us that Faith without works is dead, yet we wait. Maybe we bargain. I wait for Him to do something in me so I may trust Him. Guess what? God won’t do that, because that is not the basis of our relationship with God. That rainbow in our cloud, that is our covenant with God. With that, my life is transformed and radiates peace and joy.
Imagine this – You are seven years old, it is Christmas. You are up early and with wide eyes you are looking at the decorated tree in your living room, with wrapped gifts all around. And there you sit in wonder.
Those wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree? They are the graces and gifts that God has already given us and they are ours for the unwrapping by our right standing relationship with Him. That homily that had me so anxious? Why, I gave it to God, and we, together, did all right. His covenant with us is Holy and wholly ours for the committing. So, come you faithful people come, go unwrap your gifts. May it be so.
Bulletin Board:
The Third Sunday of Advent almost upon us. How time flies! In our haste to get to Christmas, let us be reminded of God’s promise of eternal life and the sacrifice given to each and every one of us who have accepted Christ into our lives. Let’s not be distracted by all the glitz around us. Concentrate on loving others as our Lord has loved us.
Prayer Focus:
Re-read the above scripture passages, and in your private prayer call to mind all those in your extended family, and the people in your life who need your love and God’s love. Call to mind others you are aware are hurting, even though you may not know their names, God does. Remember them. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Amen.
