Wednesday, December 9, 2020         (today’s lectionary)
They that wait
Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things, and not one of them is missing! So why do you say, “My way is hidden from the Lord?” Do you not know, have you not heard? The Lord God Creator does not grow faint, does not grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond your understanding.
This morning I pushed myself to feed the birds, water the chickens, get our snow blower put together just in case, move water hoses inside and snow shovels outside. And then there was breakfast, vitamins and counseling at 9 a.m. Time flies. The days are just packed, as Calvin said to Hobbes. But in the vitality of these times, I need to catch my breath. Sit still. Do nothing. Be useless. Rest. God is good.
They that WAIT upon the Lord God Creator will renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles! They shall run, and not be weary, they shall walk, and not faint.
Teach me, Lord, to wait. There is never any hurry. My life proceeds apace, and with you my day is like a thousand years. Show me how to measure my time the way you do, Lord. Make my days like a thousand years, and occasionally let me feel the truth that a thousand years is just a day.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
In the hospital I read Sharon Hall’s favorite Psalm 27 to her, and while she closed her eyes and leaned back on the white pillow, her face shone and she smiled. That was thirty years ago. Psalm 27 has been one of my favorites since. “I am still confident of this, that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” The goodness is always there, Lord, just open my eyes.
Come to me, all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. I am meek and humble of heart. Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Jesus is not always meek, although the Greek word infers the coiled strength of a trained stallion, quiet but ready. Jesus is always ready to be good. Just give him a chance to give you rest, and he will do just that. Of course I’m talking to myself. What does Jesus say back?
David, I run with you while you rush around. I sit with you while you rest. I breathe deep when you do, and I feel the pain inside you when you don’t breathe deep. But I long to carry you too, and make the footprints you don’t have to make. Just let me, David. Just let me.
(Isaiah 40, Psalm 103, Matthew 11)
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