Genesis 42:18-43:34
Matthew 13:47-14:12
Psalm 18:16-36
Proverbs 4:7-10
In today's readings, we see two examples of captivity which, seen from man's perspective, would seem to have had to very different, very contradictory outcomes. In the Old Testament, Joseph takes the unknowing Simeon captive, and demands that Simeon's brothers return with Benjamin, the youngest sibling, to save Simeon's life. It isn't clear to me what Simeon's captivity was like, but he does not appear to have had reason to doubt Joseph's threats. Nowhere do we see that Simeon has repented of selling his brother into slavery, so in man's eyes he would seem to be getting his just desserts, all the more so when we read his brothers didn't turn right back around, but waited till they'd run out of food before returning to redeem him!
In the New Testament, a different story: John the Baptist, who'd shunned human comfort to preach the coming of the Messiah, and who'd called authorities to account, was imprisoned by Herod for pointing out the sin in Herod's marriage to Herodias. I don't know what JtB was thinking, but I can't imagine he thought things were going to turn out well. Here, man would tend to conclude his imprisonment was unjust.
We know what happened to both of them. Simeon was freed; John the Baptist, beheaded. And again, in man's eyes, it just doesn't make sense.
I don't think it's supposed to make sense - not to us, anyway. Psalm 18:30 says "As for God, His way is perfect; the Lord's Word is flawless"...
So when faced situations we don't understand - a child's illness and suffering, the theft of all one has worked for, the election of a seemingly unqualified misogynist, the crucifixion and death of a Man whom everyone only knew to have preached a puzzling message while healing the sick, feeding the poor and raising the dead - we have a choice. We can rail against the situation armed with nothing but our own inadequacies and succumb to worry, anger and fear; or we can choose to acknowledge that His thoughts are above our thoughts, His ways above our ways - and though the situation and the result might not be as we would have them, He is in control, and His way is perfect.
So when faced situations we don't understand - a child's illness and suffering, the theft of all one has worked for, the election of a seemingly unqualified misogynist, the crucifixion and death of a Man whom everyone only knew to have preached a puzzling message while healing the sick, feeding the poor and raising the dead - we have a choice. We can rail against the situation armed with nothing but our own inadequacies and succumb to worry, anger and fear; or we can choose to acknowledge that His thoughts are above our thoughts, His ways above our ways - and though the situation and the result might not be as we would have them, He is in control, and His way is perfect.
It isn't easy. I've tried really hard to learn how. I still find myself overwhelmed by worry for my children, by problems at work...and I don't understand why He chooses to let me continue to struggle. So paradoxically I have yet another opportunity for choice - and this time I choose to trust.
Sent from my iPad
No comments:
Post a Comment