For Everyone
Twelfth
Sunday after Pentecost
August 31,
2014
Exodus 3:1-15
Romans
12:9-21
During
July I wrote a daily devotional for the young adults. There were predetermined
weekly themes geared at reenergizing our faith and relationships. I chose to
write from the heart and make the devotionals personal rather than academic.
Those weeks were some of the scariest for me. I felt unworthy and unsure; I
didn't feel like my writing was good enough and I was petrified that the
stories shared would mean nothing. But I knew from praying about this
devotional series that a personal reflection was the way to go, that this was
my opportunity to forge bonds and make deeper connections with our young
adults.
As
we read the Moses story I am amazed at his ready admittance to imperfection and
unworthiness. Moses, a former prince of Egypt, now works in the dessert for his
father in law herding sheep. Moses used to finery and an abundance of clothing
is now content with simple robes and sturdy sandals. Moses who once worshipped
many gods in Egypt is being called by the God of his ancestors to help free
those he once oppressed.
This
man for all intents and purposes was not the right man to carry out the work of
God, to stand up for the injustices of the Israelites. Moses had had slaves,
had killed an Egyptian overseer, had run away from responsibility and judgment,
and had gone from favored grandson of pharaoh to outlaw. Yet God in a strong,
firm voice called him by name.
Friends,
so many times we are Moses. We hear a call and look to God with disbelief,
asking "who am I?" We feel unsure, imperfect, unworthy. Yet the God
of our ancestors looks at our heart and calls us each by name. In our hearts we
can find things we are passionate about; causes, activities, organizations,
individuals. Each of things are to be acted on. There are many times I question
where God wants me to go or do but am continually reminded that in all times I
am to act out of love. The Romans passage read “let love be genuine; hate what
is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection”. We
are called to be real players in this thing called life; to be honest, and real
amid our imperfection and unworthiness.
"I
have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, I have heard them crying out
because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering."
(Exodus 3:7)
God had seen the suffering, that is certain, and while I gather it would be
easy to smite everyone that is not who God is. God realizes the only way to
save his beloved children is if they rise together. God has seen that Moses is
offended, bothered and appalled by the injustice of the Israelites. God has
seen that Moses hurts for these people and wants to see fairness and
righteousness for all those enslaved. But instead of forcing Moses he causes
Moses to realize there needs to be a response to the injustices, and the
response is him. A burning bush grabs Moses attention, a representation of the
fire for justice in his heart. Although he stutters and is filled with doubt God
tells Moses "I will be with you" reminding him that he is not alone.
As
I've read news articles these past weeks I've been amazed at the numerous
responses to injustice in the world. We have seen protests, violence,
petitions, speeches, letters, politicians and individuals rallying together.
Yet something that has been drastically missing is stories about good in the
world. I know it's there. I've seen it in action. I've witnessed acts of
kindness, hospitality to strangers, love for those that society has deemed unlovable.
And I’ve realized that as much as our media and society displays a disjointed
and segregated world we still have proof of individuals doing the work of God
in this world, working for Gods kindom.
God
tells Moses “I am who I am… This is my name forever, and this my title for all
generations”. God is love, God is mercy, God is trust, God is hope, God is
peace, God is justice, God is. As the children of God, a free people, we are
tasked with doing the work of God. To love the unlovable, to show mercy to
those in need, to be a safe haven, to encourage, to promote peace and unity.
When we begin to set aside our personal ambitions and desires we are able to
see the plight of the other and act on it. And because of this we are all
called to show God to the world.
The
hymn before the sermon was a plea of sorts, a request we should continually ask
of God, “Lord speak to me that I may speak”. Like Moses we don’t always have
the words to share or to support our claims, but we are tasked to do the work
of God in this world. May God speak to you and further you to act for justice,
fairness, righteousness, and equality in this world. May you walk with the
confidence that God is. May all this be done in God’s name, in our
imperfection, our unworthiness, for everyone.
