Lent
March 22, 2019
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. –1 Corinthians 9-13
This scripture reminds me of the joke about the guy on his roof in a flood. He prays for God to save him. A rescuer in a boat comes by and offers to take him to safety and the guy replies, “No thanks, God is going to save me.” After two other offers of help are dismissed the guy drowns. When he comes face to face with God, he asks why God did not save him, God says, “I sent three people to help you and you turned them all down.” One of the most difficult aspects for many humans in all kinds of relationships but particularly with God is understanding that the relationship is communal.
I think God delights in every aspect of our growth and development as humans from our first step to that aha moment when we ride a bike or read a book all by ourselves to being on the team that discovered how to create the airplane or cure cancer. God loves being a part of our loving each other and caring for each other.
Humans are not perfect yet and we sometimes fail ourselves and each other but we must never be pulled into the trap of projecting our lapses onto God. God who is love is incapable of being unfaithful.
Prayer: May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. [Amen] –1 Thessalonians 5:23-24