Kingdom Building
August 23, 2019
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29
See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.’ This phrase ‘Yet once more’ indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; for indeed our God is a consuming fire. –Hebrews 12:25-29
Fire possesses a consuming finality that cannot be undone. I am not sure what we call our damaging fires in Oklahoma whether they are forest fires, as they are often the result of red cedar trees exploding and expanding the carnage, or prairie fires. We do have a lot of prairie. Such fires seem to destroy everything in sight. Grass turns into black sticks, farm machinery melts into quirky modern sculptures, and the smell of death hangs in the air from animals that could not escape.
Following a cold winter that looks bleaker against the blackened burnt earth, new grass grows, tiny green sprouts begin to pop out of the earth with the birth of new trees, and the songs of wild birds echo through the air as squirrels and rabbit begin to scamper about in search of food. God’s all-consuming fire is the source of renewal.
Complacency tied to greed may be our most prevalent act that separates us from God. Indeed, that is an apt description of white privilege or wealth privilege or any attitude that is so ingrained it becomes a part of us and we mistake it for God’s will when it is not. God calls us to constant and consistent work toward making a better world for all God’s children. Let me give you an example of such work gone awry. Insulin was first used to treat diabetes on January 11, 1922. Prior to that time type 1 diabetes was a death sentence. Today drug companies are exploiting that wonderful discovery to enrich their stockholders and themselves increasing the number of deaths among diabetics because they cannot afford to buy the insulin, that would save them.
God does not have a history of patience with such behavior. God sent warnings through the prophets, but God’s followers did not heed their messages. We can learn from their mistakes.
Prayer: God, forgive us for our complacency and greed burning them out of our being. Renew our hearts and minds to shape a world that matches your vision. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.