Broken Pieces

I think that there might be things that feel like a right. Something deserved. Unearned. But deserved.

Like reading. Everyone should get the chance to learn that skill.

Like being part of a family. Everyone should get the chance to feel included in a fold of love.

There are plenty of sorrows to choose from if we were to categorize tonight. So many weighted hearts and minds. Most of the weighted seem to find screaming from the mountain tops the best way to rectify and resolve. I almost cannot bear to listen to one more person rail about racism and our president and the flag and minimum wage and capitalism and socialism and marriage laws and public restroom laws AND.... People, you are daily demanding attention...

I can't listen to one more word that you are shouting. Not one more word.

You know what I love about the Old Testament? What I respect about the Jewish faith? The passing of the Word from generation to generation. Verbally. Instruction is given (even now for us Gentiles) to teach the words and stories to your children when you are sitting, walking along the way, when you lie down and when you get up and....

You know what is the second most favorite thing I love about the Old Testament?

This.

"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

A still small voice.

The I AM. Who alone has authority to demand attention with wind and earthquakes and lightening and rainbows and thunder.

The I AM is found in a still small voice.

He spoke with Elijah. I can't even begin to imagine what that must be like, but one day I will know.

If we read into the passage we understand that He CAME to Elijah.

HE came TO Elijah.

Mind blown.

This is what our God does. This is the love that we cannot hope to understand. That in this season of doubt, heartache, worries, strife...the I AM pursues us.

Friends. He is not likely to join your riots. You will not hear him shouting. His Facebook feed will not be covered in political memes.

For now. He will come with a still small voice. You will have to be looking and listening to find Him. Oh, He knows your earthly fears. The rights you think you deserve or need. Better He knows your heart. Your innermost heart. And He still wants you.

When in my humanness I would wash my hands of all of you....God would not.

I cannot explain it. I cannot adequately share my faith because God blows my mind.

These are some lines from a favorite song...

"All these pieces broken and scattered
In mercy gathered, mended and whole

Oh, I can see you now
Oh, I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying Yourself down
Raising up the broken to life"


All these pieces.

If that doesn't describe our lives..

In mercy gathered.

If that doesn't describe our God...

Friends.

A still small voice is the answer. For your fears. For your pain.

He raises the broken to life.

I'm living proof.