I am working on a piece for my DMin project on Luther's Small Catechism. This part is on the Apostles' Creed which Luther says is the pure gospel of Christ. The 10 Commandments, he says, is what we "should" be doing, the Creed is the pure gospel, and the Lord's Prayer is the prescription for how we live.
Back the first article, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth." Luther reminds us that DAILY God provides for us, sustains us in the life, and protects us from harm. Look around your house (if you have a house/apartment/condo). God provided that!! Look at all the presents you received and were able to give for Christmas. If yours was anything like ours, there was way too much! We are so blessed it is almost scandalous- in fact it really is scandalous when you think of how little others have around the world!! Luther goes on about how God has given us, "All things on heaven and earth, therefore we are duty bound to thank and praise him, and devote all these things to his service."
Duty bound. Hmmm. Is that problematic for anyone? Do you like being reminded of your duty? It smacks of responsibility, doesn't it? To use all that we have for God's service is our duty, our obligation, our commitment, a sign of our loyalty and faithfulness. Yet, this can push our buttons! We don't necessarily like it when someone reminds us of what we already know deep down in our hearts (but might be fairly adept at ignoring).
All that we have is a gift from God. Our jobs, our homes, our children, our church. Do we find ourselves taking things for granted? Or are we dwelling in God's presence with a deep sense of blessedness and thanksgiving? When we use our gifts, resources, and "everything on heaven and earth" to serve God, such a joy comes over us that cannot be explained in words. Giving is such a thrill and we give because God has first given to us. We open our hands, not to receive but to give away and the joy and love that comes back to us is immensely satisfying.
I have discovered that my gifts risk stagnation when I hoard them for myself. On the otherhand, they shimmer with life and with amazing, unbounded creativity when I offer them, daily, to serve to others.
ReplyDeleteIt is a simple lesson that has been increasingly sentamentalized in secular "self help books". We have all heard it: loving something or someone means that you are willing to let it or them go. Another version, perhaps a bit more theological is "Let Go and Let God".
Jesus said it more powerfully... In order to love God and serve others you must die.
Yet, I proclaim with joy, that there has never, ever been a time that I have offered what I "have" to God that it has been a depleting experience. It isn't always easy. I don't always get to see the results. But the flow of my blessings outward on behalf of others always is met with a torrential flow of deep, lavish replenishment of God's Love towards me.