Greenpastures313’s Weblog

Kicking and screaming is how I often go in the way of God’s will. I pray, like Jesus, “Thy will be done,” but I don’t always realize just what it is that I’m saying. “God give me patience,” I ask, then gripe when I have to wait. Isn’t when we’re waiting that patience is most necessary? And would it not stand to reason that the more waiting I endure, the better I’ll become at it? God is answering the pray. “Give me faith and help me to trust you, O God,” I say, and then let doubt cloud my judgment and steal my serenity in Christ when I just know everything’s in the tank and it’s hopeless. But is not potential calamity the very thing that drives me to depend on God and builds my faith, making it stronger? God is answering the prayer. “May I forgive others as you, O Lord, forgive me,” I utter in solitude, then wonder why people feel they must hurt me, and how can I ever forgive that person? God is answering the prayer.

When we pray, we must be committed to the idea that God takes us at our word. If we pray sincerely for these and other things like them, things that make us fit for the kingdom of God, we must be ready for and welcome the answer to the prayer. We must steadily march headlong into each day with the knowledge that God’s answer may be suprisingly different than what we imagined or hoped it would be, but his is always the right answer for us. If you prayerfully seek these things (patience, faith, trust, forgiveness) prepare to be engaged.

Glenn Jarrett

First Street Church of Christ

     You are my son. Here, take this and go, if you must. Take your share, that which is prospectively yours. I yet live and you seek your inheritance, your freedom from under my roof. Go then. You are always my son and my grieved heart will miss you daily. Everyday I will expect your return, hoping that you to find the road home again, but you won’t easily find it, I know, and, therefore, knowing full well the misery you will inevitably encounter, I will station myself here every evening, day in, day out looking on this long dirt path where your independant journey began.

     I want you back. Are you one of those with a sign, “will work for food” held in grimy hands. I pray that you are safe and well, and not dying in a gutter somewhere alone and friendless. If you need me, if life in your far country becomes senselessly unbearable, then remember who you are and from whence you are and come home. I’m waiting and I’m praying for that very thing. You are my son, you always will be my son and in nothing of you will I be ashamed or find so distasteful that I forget that I held you first in my hands crying and comforting you with loving, fatherly words. You are my son. Come home.

(Adapted from the parable of the lost son, Luke 15.11-32)

The opening line of the Holy Bible is the opening line of the gospel of John. “In the beginning was the Word . . ,”(John 1.1). Then, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (verse 14). This is John’s birth narrative of Jesus – no manger, no shepherds, no guiding star, no evil king seeking to take the child’s life, not because these things never occurred, but rather to impress his readers immediately with the divine core of Christ. The Word became flesh. To borrow from Harry Chapin, he “came into the world in the usual way,” but as for his beginning, well there was none. He didn’t begin because he always has been. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God.” These words leave no room for speculation or doubt. This is the truth to which one must give full assent in order to be truly Christian and to be truly saved.

Failed is the idea that Jesus was a good man only. Failed is the idea that his way is just one of many acceptable paths to follow on the spiritual journey. Failed is the idea that the specific object of faith is irrelevant as long as some kind of faith is apparent. Jesus was/is the creative Word of God and by his own declaration, he is the only “way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14.6). He was around in the beginning, and he continues for all eternity.