Argue it out!

Argue it out!

“Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord:”—Isaiah 1.18

What a strange thing for the Lord to say to his people:  “let us argue it out.”  Sounds more like something a friend would say to another friend about politics or religion.  Sounds more like something a girlfriend would say to a boyfriend about a failure of commitment.  Sounds more like something a diplomat would say to another country’s diplomat, maybe even a president to a prime minister.  But the Lord?  One thing I’ve learned in life:  God is able to take my wrestling, my questions, my doubts, my confusion, my seeking, my journey.  God is able to handle my frustrations, sadness, disappointment, even my anger.  God can handle it. 

There probably is a line we shouldn’t cross when it comes to God.  Obviously we shouldn’t “curse God and die” as Job’s wife recommended.  But I think that line is a lot farther than we think it is.  God already knows how we feel anyway.  There’s no use trying to hide it.  In fact, as Trevor Hudson puts it, anything we hide from God just creates an obstacle, a chasm in our relationship.  Better to just admit it and get on with life.  Better to be open with God and let God heal our feelings than to try to hide them in the shadow places of our heart. 

This week I was reminded of an interesting thing from the writings of Julian of Norwich.  She writes that Christians should “enthusiastically” look for our sins because Christ WANTS to heal them, not condemn us. 

This is kind of like “arguing it out” with God, isn’t it? 

What are you holding back from God that needs healing today?  I guarantee you, God can handle it.

Prayer:  Dear Christ, who hung on the cross to redeem my darkest feelings, thoughts, and actions, redeem all of me this day!  Make me the new creation you have promised!  Amen.   

The Table

The Table It all began at a Table The Table was the earth A place where God laid out a feast For Adam and Eve A feast with all the Goodness of physical blessing Come from God's own Loving Hands Then sin cursed the Table Man's disobedience Cracked the Table in two So, from then on The Table would be Uneven and Distorted Or so it seemed . . . At another Table Abraham laid his son His only son There to sacrifice But Grace prevailed The Lord provides A perfect ram For sacrifice Ages passed And the Hebrews feasted At another Table With a feast of Unleavened Bread And Passover Lamb Wine as a sign of the Blessings of God's good earth But still, the Table Was warped by human sin No sacrifice could cover it all No one meal could it overcome Until . . . One Thursday Eve A simple carpenter rabbi Gathered twelve at His Table It was a New Table Not warped and cracked But strong and whole Strong enough to hold The Bread and the Wine That Became His Body and His Blood All who feast at this Table Are healed of the curse All who feast at this Table Have their sins covered All who feast at this Table Have the joy and peace Of a Promise, an Assurance That they have a Place At the Heavenly Table A Table not made with human hands A Table like the first Table Except it is eternal It's a Table big enough For you and for me Come, now, the feast Is Ready! @2013, Michael Lancaster