Dearest e-votees-
The appointed lessons for this coming Sunday from Proverbs 9:1-6, Psalm 34:9-14 and the Ephesians text below all talk about wisdom.
There are all sorts of ways to be in the world this day. Not all are equally wise nor pleasing to our God.
May we find ways to live in the freedom God has granted us and drink in life in such a way that others want a taste and in such a way that God is pleased.
Peace,
Karl
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Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It seems that we are called in the text above to become fluent in God's will. We are called to discern what is wise and what is not. As the flashcards of daily life and the choices come rushing at us--threatening us with consequences of choices made poorly--we need to choose well. Like learning any language it takes time with the basics and rote work to gain any basic understanding. The nuances and the fancy wordplay come so much later. Knowing the accounts of scripture offers us the basic grammar of living wisely. Practicing our conversational faith in community has big benefits. Every day is a pop quiz--are we studying?
The text moves from living wisely to living as a joyful song. We are to lift up psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. We are to sing in accord with God's will. We are to offer up songs of thanksgiving. Images of Paul and Silas having a hymn sing in prison in Acts 16:25 come to mind. Making music in the face of life's disasters (like the string quartet in the movie Titanic) come to mind. Strains of defiant and joyful music that won't be quashed (like the jazz music that bathed us at our recent youth gathering in New Orleans) by the bumps and scars of life comes to mind.
At the heart of our music needs to be attitudes of thanksgiving. All the blessings we have come from the hand of our gracious God. All the challenges that come are way can be endured and sometimes even redeemed through the guidance and strength and comfort that comes from God. If we truly understand what all God has done and continues to do for us we can't help but offer praise and thanksgiving.
God, teach us to live wisely, to sing boldly and to thank often. The world tries to twist our thinking, muffle our song and cultivate discontent. Give us guidance and strength and comfort to resist the sham promises of this world and to draw deeply into the true and reliable promises that you offer. We pray this in the name of Jesus--Amen.
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