Lent 2010 #33

Isaiah 54:9-10

^9"This is like the days of Noah to me:

Just as I swore that the waters of Noah
would never again go over the earth,
so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you
and will not rebuke you.

                               
^10"For the mountains may depart

and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

THOUGHTS:

As an ordained member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, I understand my vocational calling to be that of parish pastor.  During the past three years, however, my call has, in actuality, shifted from that of pastor to primary caregiver for my 66-year old husband.  Following complications from back and knee surgery, and the onset of Parkinson's disease, John's mobility and his independence   have diminished significantly.  Just this past December, he had another operation, on the "good" knee this time.  I'm pleased to report that after what seems like forever, he's making significant progress.  Still, those marriage vows I made of "for better or for worse" have taken on a whole new meaning than they did during our wedding ceremony!

There have been numerous occasions over these three years when my "for worse" chores have seemed insurmountable.  I have had a few frustrated conversations with God and have asked "why?" a lot.  "You called me to be a pastor, Lord!!  So why am I behaving like a nursemaid rather than preaching and making disciples?"  "Why, why, why?"

What has provided ongoing hope for me are words throughout scripture, like the ones in this passage, assuring me of God's promise to be with me no matter what—"for better or for worse."  And as I remember that promise, my one-person "pity party" quickly comes to an end.

In the case of Isaiah, those words were a reminder of God's promise to God's chosen people.  They were still in exile in Babylon following the destruction and takeover of God's holy city of Jerusalem by enemy forces—an exile caused, as the Israelites understood it, by God's wrath at their sinfulness and their violation of covenant to be God's people.  In spite of the worst, God assures them that God still loves them—that God will never leave them—that God will never break God's covenant with the people.  No matter what, we might paraphrase, God will keep God's "wedding vows" to remain faithful.

That promise is as sure for us today as it was for the Israelites of long ago.  In those times that God may seem distant, whether caused by our own sinfulness or as a result of illness or happenstance, our compassionate God will never depart from us—from you.  And that's a promise!!

PRAYER:

God of love and peace, you have promised never to forsake your people.  Open our hearts to an awareness of your steadfast love for each of us, especially during times and circumstances that seem particularly dark and hopeless.  We pray in the name of your Son Jesus, our crucified and risen Lord.  Amen

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Thoughts by Rev. Terry Hannon, Vice-President of the Board for Northern Virginia Lutheran Campus Ministries, Inc.

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These devotions for young adults are provided by:

Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University http://www.gmu.edu/org/lutheran

Lutheran Student Association at the University of Maryland http://terpconnect.umd.edu/~lutheran/lsa/

DC Young Adults http://www.dcyoungadults.org/

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