Essential 100 Challenge: Day 21 — Exodus 19:1-20:21

As I read today’s text, I’m reminded of one of my least favorite words — inclusivity. It’s often assumed that inclusivity should be the deciding factor when talking about any social issue. The assumption is that of course we want to include everybody. And certainly none of us wants to be perceived as exclusive.

Resting in What We Do Best

I thought that this quote from Henri Nouwen was a good follow-up to yesterday’s sermon and communion celebration. Nouwen’s own journey took him from teaching at Harvard and Yale to spending his last years living at L’Arche, a community for the severely mentally and developmentally disabled and their helpers.

Grace or Gumption?

We’re all damaged goods. As the apostle Paul puts it, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Instinctively, we know we’re made to be glorious creatures. Instinctively, we also know that we fall short of that glory.

Religion is our attempt to re-attain that glory. Religion is our attempt. It is what we do to save ourselves. It is “salvation through moral effort.”

Hard to Satisfy?

If you were at BRC this past Sunday, I’m pretty sure you remember this quote: “God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy.” In living with it, I’m starting to see that not only is it startlingly true, it is also startlingly good news. 

God created each human being with unimaginable care and delighted love; He is completely invested in each of our lives. He is our Father and thinking about the implications of that fact could keep my mind/heart occupied for years. Watching my son Ben watch his long-awaited baby daughter has provided a rich picture of father-love for me.

Who Are We Really

Issues of identity are big for a lot of us. Even while we’re going about our lives fairly competently and happily, there’s often some low-grade inner static. If we pay attention and listen in on the static, it’s often muttering, “Is this who I really am? Am I an okay person? Am I being the person I am capable of being?”