GOD NEEDS US TOGETHER
TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED – in the transformation of our world. There was a time when Christians and the institutional church believed human progress was inevitable. It was also an unspoken conclusion that since this was going to happen anyway, God’s people weren’t really needed to do much about it since God would make it happen. It is just one of many times when we have gotten everything wrong and lost the vision of God’s plan, letting go of our calling to be an active part in what God is doing in the world. Dr. Martin Luther King helped to remind us, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle and the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
Scripture speaks in many ways about God’s plans, from the very creation of the universe, to the plans God speaks about through Jeremiah, and the description in Proverbs 16, 9 “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.” God has a vision of what God is working out through history and the lives of we who love the Lord. We as individuals, with the freedom to choose to love and serve God, are invited to be a part of what progress God makes in the world. It will not be easy or without pain. We have a promise from God. In the words of Jesus, John 14 begins, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” Then in verse 15, Jesus shows us the relationship with the Trinity: 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father and God will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees God nor knows God. You know God because God abides with you and God will be in you.” This is the structure of our relationship, and our place in the working out of God’s plan. We are called to a part of God’s plan, comforted and guided on each step. Through all the suffering and even uncertainty, we will have an advocate with us. We are not alone in anything. Is it any wonder how those like Dr. Martin Luther King and others who have done the work of God have succeeded, when God was at their side through it all? On this eve of All Saints’ Day, let us give thanks for all those who have gone before us, following God’s plan with guidance and trust. O God of vision, we are grateful to be invited as a part of the plan for the kingdom. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, our advocate, guide and comforter, who is always there to show us the way to succeed in what you need us to do. Make our path straight and the vision vivid of what we should do, so we may show our love. Amen. PEACE