March 14, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor… follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children .” (Ephesians 4.25a, 5.1)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD

Okay, I can’t resist telling my favorite Justin Wilson joke that has to do with “Pi” since it is recognized as Pi Day (3.14) . While he was cooking a downhome meal of fried tilapia and brown beans with a side of “on-yon,” he heard a viewer remark “Cornbread are square, pie are round.” He replied, “I guess you never cooked cornbread in a cast iron skillet.”

Some will say “You are what you eat.” The distinction being made is clearly pointing out that a diet of fatty foods and oils and such will become a weighty matter, while eating a balanced diet will provide keep things under control. I certainly am not teaching a cooking class here (though I have made cornbread in a cast iron skillet and can affirm that while “pie may still be round, cornbread is not always square.” Still, when it comes to mathematics, “P R Squared.” It truly does add up. So what does that have to do with today’s reflection on Ephesians 5.1? As Paul urges the community of faith in Jesus as the Christ to focus on building up the body of faith, that Christian community, he reminds them of their true nature and character. Their true nature and character was created in the image of God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) born out of authentic love. God is the example and has set the example. You might consider a box of puzzle pieces. Not many people do puzzles that I know of. I have several stashed away and some I haven’t even done yet. But, I learned early on from my grandmother, Granny Swasi, that the puzzle is always easier to complete when you have the picture on the box of the finished product. In other words, without the example of authentic love, living and community building, achieving the finished product is nigh on impossible. We might say that without the proper framework of understanding “pie could be round, square or non-existent…especially after I eat it!” And the thing about examples is that it shows that whatever is being attempted has been done to completion.

Who among us can say that about life? Who among us has already lived their full span and lived to tell the tale. We do set examples for those around us and those who are following us. There are tasks that we have completed but not life in its entirety. Many times the things we have done, upon reflection could actually be done better. We can be our harshest critic and strictest judge. How many times have we wanted that infamous “do over.” In golf, it is called a mulligan. For those who have played golf, that mulligan usually is a better strike at the ball than the first. I did say “usually” because it is not always the case. But, having seen the result of the first attempt, our attempt to self-correct usually leads to improvement on the next. But, what of life? Are we resolved to learn everything by accident, trial and error or by intentional effort to mimic the best example of living ever revealed? Who better than “He who is without sin”? That would be God, though the Word has spoken of God repenting, Jesus who is the Christ who regretted nothing and the Holy Spirit who abides by the will of God and not of its own desire.

Or do we excuse ourselves with the imperfection that we perceive ourselves in ourselves (and that which is encouraged by others from time to time to keep us in our place or to put them in a higher place) and leave the whole thing of living as a loss (though we many times call it a “win”)? Dare we say, as many have, “I am not God nor am I Jesus Christ. I am not perfect, so why even try?” Well, if for no other reason we should strive toward that perfection of living life to its authentic fullness because Jesus said so. Jesus never meant that it was something that could be done on our own volition and efforts or with purchase as if it were a good to be bought and sold. What Jesus did say was “What seems impossible for humankind is not impossible for God.” It would make sense, right, since God is the creator of all things. It is God who by His very own nature followed the example of faith, hope and love to bring order to the chaos, meaning into the purposeless, hope into the despair and, most of all, life into death. Jesus never said it would be easy just that it would never be impossible for those who trust in God, call upon Him and follow Him as He calls upon them. Jesus extended such a call to ordinary, broken, confused, chaotic, lost and displaced individuals. He said “If you truly want life, then come and follow Me.” Follow Jesus. Follow His example. Yes it will not be easy but it isn’t impossible because He is Immanual, God with us.

Mighty ones of God in Christ, we experience the best in life when we pursue the righteousness of God which is ours in Jesus Christ. The plan for achievement and the striving for success is measured by our faithfulness to the original “picture on the box.” That picture is Jesus in whose image we were first made and shall be remade. The pieces of our lives can be put together when we follow “Thee Example.”

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit spoke us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.