Realignment - Wednesday, March 11, 2015

SCRIPTURE READING:

     Ephesians 2:1-10

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, G-d, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.  And G-d raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of G-d -- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are G-d's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which G-d prepared in advance for us to do." 

THOUGHTS:

     We are G-d's poem.  He spoke us into existence. He speaks life into the world around us.  We are his masterpiece.  It is the power of G-d that rescues us.  We are not saved by or through the kingdom's we build, but yet we are called and required to build the kingdom.  Each of us is given our space in our world to steward and care for.  G-d's love comes to us. It changes us and transforms us. It realigns us to him.  This is the path of Lent -- a realignment. This realignment is meant to equip us to serve and change the world.
     It is by grace that we have been saved, and it is faith that requires action of us.  We were created with purpose. We were created for participation in the kingdom of G-d, to do good works.  To do and be good.  In the garden, he saw that what he had created was good and he gave us purpose.  We haven't lost those things.  The message of the Gospel is love.
     Following Christ means that we realign to him and seek first his kingdom.  The season of Lent provides us the perfect opportunity to position ourselves before the Lord, offering up all that we are to be molded and shaped to become like him.

ACTION:

     I'm not liking this "action" part.  I'm rethinking it, but I will keep it through lent.  I intended that the text would shift something in me and it has, but not always produced a specific "action" - so maybe I'll just relabel it "prayer."

Gracious G-d, abundant in love and mercy, you have reached down, dwelled among us and provided redemption to ALL.  I don't want to waste the gift you have freely given me.  I want to seek first your kingdom and I want to change the world.  Realign my heart to your ways.