A voice of one calling:
"In the wilderness prepare the way
for the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
-- Isaiah 40:3
God promises abundance over and over in Scripture (John 10:10, for example).
However, we live in a world seemingly surrounded by scarcity and limitations. How do we trust in that abundance? I hear the prophet Isaiah in the quote above--echoed later by the prophet John the Baptist (Luke 3:4)--telling us to make way!
What does this mean for us today?
It means: Make room. Clear a spot. Bring an extra chair to the dinner table. Make a bed for an unexpected house guest. Move out of the way when an elderly person walks by. Take time to listen to the cries of someone suffering. Clear space in the center for folks who have spent far too long in the margins.
In short: Give a little. Or a lot.
Isn't this at the core of issues we face as a society? In order to make space for others in this world, we often have to give a
little? I know this runs completely contrary to what we are told in our popular culture. That culture tells us to "get more"--and more and more---and that we shouldn't have to be inconvenienced ever. Everyone is entitle to fulfillment of all their individual desires.
But that's not reality. Humans are built for self-realization, yes, but we are also built for cooperation. We find our fulfillment in community even though--or perhaps because--community is difficult. Community requires bending, adjusting and making room. It involves facing difficult stuff so that we can become better. Our individual self is full realized not when we are granted every desire but when we give. That's the paradox spoken of in Scripture: By giving, we receive.
Asylum seekers come to our border. They are fleeing horrific violence and devastating poverty. If we take time to truly listen to them, this becomes apparent. What do we do? Surely, the richest nation in the history of modern civilization has resources to offer. Following the Biblical mandate, we should make way for them--for starters, that means offering them a safe place to rest from the journey, nourishing food to heal their bodies and a friendly ear to listen to them. We can do this while doing whatever legal work we need to process their cases. Then, once admitted into this country, we can work to help find space to settle in, get comfortable, heal wounds and build a new life. We can offer a warm welcome in the short term and also the long term.
Some people are afraid to open the door--what if something bad happens? What if we can't face the truth that their pain is the result in some way of our actions as a nation? What if we are called to give more than we are comfortable giving?
"What if" is the language of fear, not the language of God. Bad things may happen and we have to be on alert, but good things can also happen. Our new guests could be wonderful neighbors. They could offer new foods, new attitudes, new wisdom and new growth for our society--all because we made space for them and took a chance.
It's simply selfish and short-sighted to refuse hospitality when we have so much and their needs are so great.
But that's not reality. Humans are built for self-realization, yes, but we are also built for cooperation. We find our fulfillment in community even though--or perhaps because--community is difficult. Community requires bending, adjusting and making room. It involves facing difficult stuff so that we can become better. Our individual self is full realized not when we are granted every desire but when we give. That's the paradox spoken of in Scripture: By giving, we receive.
Asylum seekers come to our border. They are fleeing horrific violence and devastating poverty. If we take time to truly listen to them, this becomes apparent. What do we do? Surely, the richest nation in the history of modern civilization has resources to offer. Following the Biblical mandate, we should make way for them--for starters, that means offering them a safe place to rest from the journey, nourishing food to heal their bodies and a friendly ear to listen to them. We can do this while doing whatever legal work we need to process their cases. Then, once admitted into this country, we can work to help find space to settle in, get comfortable, heal wounds and build a new life. We can offer a warm welcome in the short term and also the long term.
Some people are afraid to open the door--what if something bad happens? What if we can't face the truth that their pain is the result in some way of our actions as a nation? What if we are called to give more than we are comfortable giving?
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
"What if" is the language of fear, not the language of God. Bad things may happen and we have to be on alert, but good things can also happen. Our new guests could be wonderful neighbors. They could offer new foods, new attitudes, new wisdom and new growth for our society--all because we made space for them and took a chance.
It's simply selfish and short-sighted to refuse hospitality when we have so much and their needs are so great.
Very often, what seems like extra effort is only an extra blessing. We may think these people and circumstances will hamper us but this is Gospel freedom we are talking about. This ins't the freedom of unfettered individualism, but rather the freedom to follow our deepest callings of love, hospitality, compassion and hope. It is the freedom to trust in the God of abundance, not the devil of scarcity.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 3:5-10
We need to prepare the way as if God is personally the one we are greeting--because if we take Scripture seriously--that's exactly who we are welcoming in:
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you,
whatever you did
for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
you did for me. (from Matthew 25:31-46).
A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
the way for the
Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our
God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and
hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places
a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people
will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:3-5
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