Saturday, June 29, 2013

Yearning


This prayer is a riff on my Scripture Union Bible study. Steve Bradbury is writing on Mark 4:21-34, where Jesus famously states “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more.” 

Genuine Christian learning is only possible for committed disciples with a passion to live as Jesus wants them to live. Real theology, therefore, is lived theology, resulting from obedience and the constant exercise of faith. We don't set the terms of engagement: Jesus does. We're called to listen and act, and keep on listening and acting. We're invited to follow him even when we have only an inkling of where we're going. 

Bradbury is a former chair of the Micah Challenge, a global voice for people living in poverty.

Creating, Healing LORD, 

Where did this yearning come from? 
The idealism. Is it naive? 

That society would be just and fair. 
That all babies would be healthy. 
No more pain and tears.
No wearing out. No death. 

It's our spiritual heritage:

…my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
 for they will be a people blessed by the Lord… (from Isaiah 65:17-25)

Is this what we call our Christian hope? 
Has it been planted within by the Holy Spirit?

...but is it realistic? Wishful thinking? It’s so against the grainActually, it's your guarantee, Lord Christ! 

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (from Revelation 21:1-5)

Thanks be to God! For a spirit of hope. For the promise of yearnings fulfilled.

It demands engagement. It's a call to service. Give me a hard shove, Holy Spirit, to act on these ideals! Amen.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Praying for Drew


My son has a college buddy, Drew Harrod, who is in a battle with cancer. That's not a cancer cliché. It is a raging battle. And this is the second occurrence in the third decade of his young life. 

I pray for Drew daily, and we follow his blog. It is difficult to read, often written in a stream of consciousness as he struggles with pain, fatigue and anxiety.

Remarkably, he uses this an an opportunity to share his rock-solid faith. His cross-bearing is real. His faith is resolute. It's a raw and powerful witness. I wince, but I'm inspired. 


Merciful and Gracious God,

How does one choose between another crushing course of chemotherapy and a risky, radical, day long surgery?

Where is your tender touch, Father, in the often hapless, callous health system?

How does one endure the pain day after day...after day?

Where is the energy to fight...
For you wife?
For your baby?
FOR YOUR LIFE!?!

It's found in Faith. It's found in the Spirit.

I have seen it in Drew Harrod. Inexplicable. Nonetheless genuine. Real.

Lord Christ, this young man will soon be in the hands of a surgical team, and I pray he is in your unseen but very tight embrace. I pray that - in your good time - he will hear the Great Physician say...

Rise and go; your faith has made you well. (Luke 17:19

May your Spirit be upon Drew, his doctors, his family and friends. Amen.


Artwork credit
Drew on YouTube
Drew's blog (log-in required)