On My Way With God

The song from the show that I remember says, “Where ya going?” “I don’t know.” “When will you get there?” “I ain’t certain; all that I know is I am on my way.” And aren’t we all on our way? Scripture lessons for this Second weekend in Lent are to remind us that we don’t know just where we’re going–but we do know that God goes with us! From the Wilderness to Jerusalem–or whatever the name of our Holy City.

GENESIS (the Book of Beginnings) 15:1-12 tells us the story of Abraham preparing to journey to the Promised Land. Like us, he’s full of questions, mostly about his yet-unborn descendants. Who’s gonna inherit this “Promised Land”? But yet he goes, trusting in the God who said, “Don’t be afraid”. What are the costs to Abraham? What are the costs to US? For what dare we hope?

Paul’s Letter to the PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1 compares those who follow Christ to the Rest of the System. “Their minds are set on earthly things.” There’s part of us which WANTS to question, which WANTS to be rational. Our community, our selves are engaged in the messy part of living, clinging to injustice, pride and all that goes with it. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior…” What do we expect? Dare we expect a Savior who gives us his own life to model?

Last week we found Jesus in the Wilderness; and this week we read that he’s on his way to Jerusalem! The intervening text will tell us of his healings, his miracles and his teachings about God’s Kingdom. Not even the threats could keep him from the site of the Temple, of government, of tradition. Just as the prophets before him, he wanted to lovingly protect the People, “How often have I desired to gather your people together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”, still forseeing the destruction and dispersal of the Jews. Were they too stubborn to accept God’s shelter? Are WE?

All of these–Abraham, Jesus and the Philippian community–are on their way with God. It’s to be pointed out that none of these knew exactly where this was, or where they were going. But they did leave every- thing behind, no easy job. Where are you going? Paint your wagon and come along!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

You’re invited every Tuesday to grab an advance look at Scriptures to be heard on the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com…Tell your friends!