When was the last time you were amazed or astounded by Jesus? Or, maybe you haven't been but might like to be? I've been very moved during a retreat, in
Sunday worship, by hymns and readings, in my personal prayer, and in other ways ~ yet, reading this account from Mark, I'm suddenly aware that, whether through unconscious assumptions, a mild
case of apathy, perhaps even some complacency, my sense of amazement and wonder
is seriously lacking. Jesus has been a part of my life for so very long I've
been taking it all for granted, as if it's all easily understood, as
if "I've got this." How is the awe recaptured or discovered?
As
for the "fear" that the Psalmist speaks of, I do
remember that as a child I learned, by accident or design through my religious instruction, to be afraid of God, terrified at times that my misbehavior was grounds for eternal damnation. It's hard to distance
oneself from that kind of image and language. So how can I begin to have wisdom
if I am frightened of my Creator who loves me and who I am supposed to
love?
This fear "of the Lord" isn't meant to be the kind of fear we associate with being scared
and worried, or afraid of being in trouble. Rather, the ancient sense of the
word tells us that in being filled with love, respect, and awe, we
will fervently desire to be faithful in our daily lives, offering
ourselves to God through our thoughts and actions. It's the kind of
"fear" or concern or care that we have when we don't want to upset, offend, or anger anyone
we truly love.
If we consciously engage with God through Scripture, worship, and prayer with more intention, if we
sincerely want to know God the Creator, Jesus the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, from whom all things are, and for whom we all exist [1 Cor
8:6], our wisdom will increase and our amazement will take hold. With
faithfulness and awe of God as our life's primary work, our little forays
into eating in the temple of an idol [1 Cor 8:10], that
is, giving in to the earthly temptations and everyday distractions that
surround and pull us away from God, will be easier to overcome.
It is time, once again or for the first time, to discover that amazement, to be
astounded at the life and work and words of Jesus, to open our daily life and
frequent prayers with true wonder, love, and praise. What can happen? It's awe-fully amazing! Here's a way to begin, start well, and
just sing out with gusto:
O Lord my God, When I
in awesome wonder,
Consider all the
worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the
rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
[composed by Carl Gustav Boberg
in Sweden in 1885, translated into English by British missionary Stuart K.
Hein]
LET US,
GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~
O God, Almighty and Everlasting, arouse and provoke us to
rediscover amazement and awe in Your faithfulness, justice, and righteousness.
Turn us away from the puffery of mere knowledge and the empty glamor in temples
of idols, to full engagement and accountability in the work You have given us
to do.
Gracious, Compassionate Lord
RESPONSE: You
know us by our Love
~ O God,
Almighty and Everlasting, embolden our resolve to demand of those in authority
in this World, in this Country, and in this Community, the fulfillment of basic
needs, economic justice, and mercy for all Your people, as the fundamental
necessities for peace, human rights, and the moral and ethical survival of our
souls. add your own petitions
Gracious, Compassionate Lord
You
know us by our Love
~ O God,
Almighty and Everlasting, warm the spirits of all who are confined by serious illness,
anxiety, or loneliness, and re-kindle the energy of all who give them care. We now join our hearts together
to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
Gracious, Compassionate Lord
You
know us by our Love
~ O God,
Almighty and Everlasting, help our hearts rejoice as You clothe the newly
departed with Your garments of heavenly splendor and abiding peace. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
Compassionate Lord
You
know us by our Love
~ O God,
Almighty and Everlasting, we
pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
Compassionate Lord
You
know us by our Love
~ O God,
Almighty and Everlasting, place Your Voice in the words of all who lead us in
the Church, to speak to us as Your true prophets that we may hear and heed Your
wisdom and commands. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Compassionate Lord
You
know us by our Love
The Celebrant adds: O God of Truth and Equity,
from Whom all things are and for Whom we all exist, free our spirits from all
that is unclean and build us up in love. Re-ignite our desire to be Your
faithful and faith-filled servants, constantly astounded by the
breadth and depth of Your Power and Glory. This we ask through Christ
Jesus, our Messiah; and the Counsel of the Holy Spirit; who together with You
live and reign as One God, infinite and eternal, now and forever. Amen.
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