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 Turning our attention to the symbol of water, a substance deeply intertwined with purification, life, and healing, we will experience the transformative power of Jesus. Jesus frequently uses water as a conduit for his literal and metaphorical restorative touch. As we delve into these passages, let us consider how water, in its fluidity, reflects the flowing grace and life-giving presence of Jesus. May these readings remind us that, even in our own periods of dryness and spiritual thirst, Jesus offers a wellspring of healing, washing away our burdens and renewing us from within. A collective reflection on God’s grace and our chances for renewal Sunday, March 30, 2025 |
Greater than my questions John 9:1-8 It’s been a challenging handful of years. I lost my husband to cancer, I lost my house to Hurricane Helene, and I’ve temporarily lost mobility due to a broken ankle. Sometimes it’s hard to fight the whispers in my head, “How did I end up on the wrong road? What day paved the way from forward to backward; was it in my youth, or afterward?” (Am I the only one who likes to make it rhyme when I’m feeling sorry for myself?) The man without sight in today’s passage had more than a few years of trials…he had been blind since birth. In his case, the whispers were spoken out loud, “Whose fault is this? Did the man sin, or did his parents?” Maybe we think if we can assign blame and find an explanation for suffering, we can mark ourselves safely out of harm’s way. In no uncertain terms, Jesus lets us know that pain is not always a simple cause-and-effect equation. Throughout the Bible and our lives, we ask hard “Why?” questions of God. Whether it’s Job, David, Jeremiah, or me, we inquire and insist humanly we are bent on answers. Our brains crave logic, predictability, and inputs that result in the outcomes we expect. But God’s ways are greater than our ways, and he doesn’t necessarily answer our questions as a way of serving our highest good. God enters into our stories and beckons us to walk toward him in return. Sometimes he heals us, but not always in the way we would script the story. He steps into our pain, pulls us close, and sometimes, he gives us explanations or miraculous healing on this journey. Often, he doesn’t. God, in my demand for understanding…soften my heart, allow me to strut, fret, and inquire, but give me eyes to see that YOU are actually the answer that is greater than my questions. Prayer for today: Lord, we approach your throne boldly and humbly, with hands open and eyes lowered. We tremble at your majesty and know we often speak of things too great for us to understand. Forgive us for our presumptuousness, sometimes we forget you are in charge and see things in a mirror that is still dimly lit for us. Lift our chins, throw your arms around us, and remind us again that your love never fails and you are always working for the good of those who love you, whether we see it in the moment or not. Help us to be aware of our own blindness and open our eyes to see all the ways you are already bringing us hope, help, and healing. Amen. By Debbie Smith |
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