JOURNEYING TO TOMORROW

We have a God who has not only created us but desires for us to be in an active, living relationship with Him. He is a god unlike any other for not only is he responsible for the creation of the world and all creatures within it but he is also responsible for the creation of that which comes closest to his heart – ourselves. It is said that we are created in the image of God. Whether that means that we mirror God in our form or that we are simply imbued with the character and heart of God is immaterial.  What is important to grasp from that decision of God is that we, as humans, were created with a special purpose and destiny. Formed from the dust of the created earth, we are given the Spirit of God within our bodies and we are given a mind to discern and a heart to feel. We are given stewardship of this place and told that we are to enjoy its fruits and benefits. We are entrusted with this place to care for and nurture all of creation.  Yet we are created with freedom of will and mind, capable of making free choices, choices which have consequences and for which there will be future implications but freedom all the same.

Karl Barth, a famous systematic theologian, waded into that great debate on predestination and free will - a debate that has consumed much theological wrangling and led to many religious wars and schisms. He stated what I think is a reasonable position on the debate, one which is not influenced by history or diatribe. He said that we are predestined by God to be saved by God because God’s heart and will is that we be saved but that God never compels anyone to accept that salvation. We are free to choose. Our choice to accept or reject God’s salvation does not change God’s decision. His unconditional love remains firm forever.

That decision by God to be in relationship with His creation has never changed. It has remained constant. What has changed and will always change is the heart and mind of those created. Our freedom to make decisions for ourselves is one of the greatest gifts we have been given but it is also one of the greatest curses we have been given.  For it puts us in the personal dilemma of having to make a conscious daily choice to be in relationship with God. How easy it would be to have all our decisions made for us. But God gives us the freedom to make choices because as much as God wants all created beings to honour and love him, he does not want any created beings to do so out of fear or resentment. That is why knowing God has made a decision to love us forever and save us from our sins is not one sided. It requires a response from us; a response that comes not from fear of what will happen if we make the wrong choice but from a heartfelt love for this God and a true desire to live our lives according to his example given to us in so many ways in the Old Testament and then in his own person, in Jesus Christ.

But we do we truly trust God and take him at his word? So often, we doubt. We doubt because our human experience teaches us not to put our total trust in others. Our human experience shows us that people make promises they either cannot or will not keep. Our human experience shows us that life is full of disappointments and heartache. There are many moments of joy and fulfilment as well but too often the negative influences the positive and causes us to doubt.

Abram was told by God that he would become the father to a great nation and that his wife would bear him a son who would give him descendants as numerous as the stars. As much as Abram wanted to believe God, his doubts led him to have a child by his wife’s maidservant with his wife’s permission. God had made a promise but Abram saw no way for it to be fulfilled except through the one who he knew could make it happen. Of course, we know the end of the story. We know that God caused Sarai to become pregnant and to bear a son who would become the patriarch of the people.  But, even in spite of this great miracle by God, Abram still had his doubts and many times over again, he would act in foolish ways not trusting God’s word.

What this reveals to us is that our situation today is not really any different from that of Abram. Our world has changed in so many ways but in so many ways we are no farther ahead than Abram. For we are flesh and blood as was Abram; we are faced with the promises of God but also see the daily reality of our lives. We long to trust and yet feel betrayal and hurt. We long to do what is right in God’s eyes, trusting His ways and seeking His heart, will and mind but we fall short. It would be so much easier if the whole world saw things the way God does. It would make our lives so much easier for it would eliminate many, if not all our dilemmas. We would have no conflicts, no strife, and no dissension. In short, we would have utopia. But as wonderful as that sounds, would that really accomplish what God asks of us in this time and place. Maybe, but it seems that God has a plan, a plan that, just as for Abram, is a vision before us but one which we struggle to understand how and when it will be realized.  And yet, that should not disillusion us or cause us to despair. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus. We are to live this life as long as we are given breath striving to follow in the footsteps of those who have preceded us and know that as we live this life, God is there to support us in our journey and to forgive us when we fall short.

Paul never knew what his end would be on earth but he knew that his life would never end as long as he entrusted his whole being to God in Christ.

Jesus’ mission was to restore the heart and soul of the people back to God and enter the heart  he did.

And that is what God has done and continues to do for all of creation from the beginning of time to its end. To enter the heart and soul of every living being.   Let us this day rededicate our lives to God so that our desire and goal may be to live in relationship with him trusting in his eternal love, mercy, and salvation.

AMEN