The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12 NRSV)
A famine on the land … that’s what he said.
Not a famine of bread
or a thirst for water;
he said, “It will be a famine
of hearing the words of the LORD.
I gasp for air.
I try to keep the tears from flowing.
I feel an emptiness
creep into my whole being.
LORD GOD … NO!
Do not take the hearing
of your words from me.
It IS my bread. It IS my water.
It IS my life-blood.
If all is silent
from you to me, LORD GOD,
I fear that all might fall silent
from me to you,
and from me for you …
for others.
If you do not speak words
in ways that I might hear,
then all of the words
that I know will
become unknown to me.
How can I find my own words
in the darkness of this silence?
There will be no words found
to tell others of your love and promise.
There will be no words found
to tell others of your grace and mercy,
for I will be starving
to hear of these things as well.
Even before you fall silent,
even before such a famine
of the hearing of your words, LORD GOD,
I already hear the gnawing of my heart
and feel a hint of its approaching emptiness.
I am wondering if
you will still hear my prayers.
Will my words to you fall softly
on your heart …
even in your silence?
Others know what it is like
to be hungry of body and soul.
Others know what it is like
to hear the echoes of your silence.
Others know because of
our own neglect and disregard,
not because of you.
Forgive me, O God. Forgive us.
You love without measure.
You delight in our times together.
How it must hurt you
to consider such a famine of words.
Before you fall silent,
What would you have me do, LORD GOD?
What would you have us do?
anna murdock © 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
"A Shout From the Other Room"
(Please read Luke 10:38-42)
I’m shouting from the other room with my arm around Martha’s shoulders. “Martha isn’t all that bad. Lighten up on her. She’s being hospitable, OK? She is giving her best.” (Oops, I should have stopped before that last sentence.) Martha might be cooking her best, never-fail meal and preparing her home to be a comfortable place for Jesus and his disciples. Welcoming them into her home is a way to serve her Lord. Hospitality, good food and a place of rest. She is offering to them something that they need. Those are gifts that she is giving to them. But Martha is tired, busy and missing out on fellowship. She is becoming annoyed.
What did we hear? Complaints from the hostess? Jesus says her name twice. “Martha, Martha”. My childhood memories tell me that nothing ever good comes from having your name said twice. But there seems to be a gentleness in Jesus’ voice as he seizes this moment of teaching and as he reaches out his hand and leads her into the place where Mary sits. From the protests of a sister from the other room and from the very words of Jesus, we too are taught and we begin to understand what it means to be a “Martha” with a “Mary” heart … a worship-filled, Spirit-led servant of our Lord who has listened well.
I will not bash Martha. Honestly, I can’t. I have been her and many of you can same the same thing. The good news is that there is plenty of room to sit beside of Mary. There is time to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen, learn and worship before going out and doing what we are called to do. There is more than enough time to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we go out to serve others.
Mary has chosen the better way. She has set aside her own things-to-do list for a while. She is being still and listening to Jesus, clinging to his very words. And she has set her priorities in order. The Marys (or Matthews) of this world know that there is no amount of obedience, no willing heart, no running here and there for the Church or for others, and no gifts that can be fully used without first sitting quietly and receiving the guidance of the Spirit. It is then when we catch a glimpse of God’s vision for the world.
Martha, Martha. Be still and know, Martha. Be still first before busyness takes over. Quit shouting from the other room, Martha. Sit with Mary. Listen to Jesus’ words. Know who he is. Receive his Spirit. Listen for the what’s, the when’s, the why’s and the where’s. If you do, your willingness and your gifts, yes, even your gift of hospitality will be best used in joyful and loving service for others.
Jesus is calling for us to come out from the other room … calling our names as he has called Martha’s name. He has invited everyone to begin again, to rest for a moment, to no longer be distracted. He has given every one of us a time to listen, a time to learn and grow and a time to place willing hearts before him. Jesus is saying, “Stop and choose the better way. Sit and clear your busy thoughts and make room for the thoughts of God.”
Oh God … Call out our names twice if you must. Maybe then we will look up from our busyness and listen. Lead us from the other room to our place at the feet of your Son. Raise our heads so that we might look into his eyes. Open our ears so that we might listen to his words. Give us rest and renewal and then lift us up and send us back out to serve others with hearts reflecting the One who has called our names and carrying with us a glimpse of your vision. Amen.
anna
I’m shouting from the other room with my arm around Martha’s shoulders. “Martha isn’t all that bad. Lighten up on her. She’s being hospitable, OK? She is giving her best.” (Oops, I should have stopped before that last sentence.) Martha might be cooking her best, never-fail meal and preparing her home to be a comfortable place for Jesus and his disciples. Welcoming them into her home is a way to serve her Lord. Hospitality, good food and a place of rest. She is offering to them something that they need. Those are gifts that she is giving to them. But Martha is tired, busy and missing out on fellowship. She is becoming annoyed.
What did we hear? Complaints from the hostess? Jesus says her name twice. “Martha, Martha”. My childhood memories tell me that nothing ever good comes from having your name said twice. But there seems to be a gentleness in Jesus’ voice as he seizes this moment of teaching and as he reaches out his hand and leads her into the place where Mary sits. From the protests of a sister from the other room and from the very words of Jesus, we too are taught and we begin to understand what it means to be a “Martha” with a “Mary” heart … a worship-filled, Spirit-led servant of our Lord who has listened well.
I will not bash Martha. Honestly, I can’t. I have been her and many of you can same the same thing. The good news is that there is plenty of room to sit beside of Mary. There is time to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen, learn and worship before going out and doing what we are called to do. There is more than enough time to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we go out to serve others.
Mary has chosen the better way. She has set aside her own things-to-do list for a while. She is being still and listening to Jesus, clinging to his very words. And she has set her priorities in order. The Marys (or Matthews) of this world know that there is no amount of obedience, no willing heart, no running here and there for the Church or for others, and no gifts that can be fully used without first sitting quietly and receiving the guidance of the Spirit. It is then when we catch a glimpse of God’s vision for the world.
Martha, Martha. Be still and know, Martha. Be still first before busyness takes over. Quit shouting from the other room, Martha. Sit with Mary. Listen to Jesus’ words. Know who he is. Receive his Spirit. Listen for the what’s, the when’s, the why’s and the where’s. If you do, your willingness and your gifts, yes, even your gift of hospitality will be best used in joyful and loving service for others.
Jesus is calling for us to come out from the other room … calling our names as he has called Martha’s name. He has invited everyone to begin again, to rest for a moment, to no longer be distracted. He has given every one of us a time to listen, a time to learn and grow and a time to place willing hearts before him. Jesus is saying, “Stop and choose the better way. Sit and clear your busy thoughts and make room for the thoughts of God.”
Oh God … Call out our names twice if you must. Maybe then we will look up from our busyness and listen. Lead us from the other room to our place at the feet of your Son. Raise our heads so that we might look into his eyes. Open our ears so that we might listen to his words. Give us rest and renewal and then lift us up and send us back out to serve others with hearts reflecting the One who has called our names and carrying with us a glimpse of your vision. Amen.
anna
Thursday, July 8, 2010
"A Willingness Within"
Please read Luke 10:25-37 (The story of “The Good Samaritan”)
Also, please read Thom Shuman’s “Half-Dead in the Ditch” at www.occasionalsightings.blogspot.com
If you notice, I have suggested that you not only read the Scriptures for the morning, but also Thom Shuman’s “Half-Dead in the Ditch” posting on his blog. Thom is a friend, a writer and poet, and a Presbyterian pastor. In his thoughts on Luke 10:25-37, he has reminded me that often we find ourselves right in the middle of the Scriptures in our everyday living. I call such things “God-sightings”. Thom calls them “Occasional Sightings of the Gospel”. As I read “Half-Dead in the Ditch”, I was reminded of a different look to the “Good Samaritan” story. It is a dog's story. At first glance it seems too remote to be considered an “occasional sighting” of this Gospel lesson for today. But actually, it IS this story.
Last Friday, a fairly large puppy was seen running across the parking lot of the business where I work. Well, let's just say “trying to run”. Her front paw was caught in the makeshift collar. One of our salesmen brought the puppy into our reception area. She collapsed and closed her eyes. The collar was for a very large dog; certainly not meant for a puppy. It had been cinched in with a twist-tie. That left a loop in which her foot had become entangled. There was no "give" in the collar so she was choking herself with each step. When she collapsed on the floor, she closed her eyes. She was so exhausted from both the heat and trying to run on 3 legs that she couldn't move. We petted her for a while and whispered to her. Still, her eyes remained closed. The animal control officer said, “She doesn’t stand a chance. Look at her face. She is part pit bull. Her ears have been trimmed by the owner. He probably has intentions of raising her for dog fights. If I take her away, she will only have 3 days.” The officer left with instructions to call her again if we chose to have this puppy taken away. The puppy never moved or opened her eyes as we talked about her.
Soon we found ourselves stepping over the puppy and walking around her. She was in our way. Someone picked her up and moved her into another room as a convenience to us. Still, she didn’t move nor did she open her eyes. There was talk of calling the animal control officer back. 4:00pm came. Still no movement. Still no opened eyes. 4:30pm arrived. The little 4-year-old daughter of one of our employees came into the office area from day school. Her mother told her little daughter to stay away from the puppy. “Don’t touch her. Don’t bother her.” The little one ignored her mother's request. She sat down on the floor, curled up beside of the puppy and began to gently stroke her. She firmly told everyone to “quit stepping over her.” She whispered into the puppy's ear. She placed her head on the puppy. I stood at the door and overheard her say, "I am here. You are OK." 4:50pm. The little girl and this puppy were walking down the hall! She was a bit possessive, keeping all of us who had been walking around and stepping over the puppy, away from the puppy. A few minutes later, I sat down with the little girl on the couch in the reception area. She was gently stroking the puppy. I asked her how SHE knew what to do. Her answer? “Because I am little and the puppy is little.”
All other days, this child hates to be called little. Normally, she would put her hands on her hips, stomp her foot and say "I'm a NOT little. I am a BIG girl." She's a stubborn little thing! Perhaps, in great mercy, she was WILLING to remember her smallness for the sake of this puppy.
There was a willingness within this child to become little again for the sake of the puppy ... there was a willingness within the "Good Samaritan" to recall his own days in the ditch and remember the best way out for the sake of the one who was beaten ... there was a willingness within Jesus to become despised and rejected, to be thrown into death's ditch and to be pulled back out by God for all of our sakes.
Most Merciful God ... There was a willingness within this child, this Samaritan and certainly within Jesus to offer great mercy. Is there a willingness within me as well? Am I willing to be the neighbor who loves and shows mercy? Oh, I pray that I am but in my heart I know that I have failed so many times. Forgive me... forgive us for stepping over others. Jesus points to this little girl and her puppy and then looks into our eyes and says, “Go and do likewise." Open our eyes, O God. Open our eyes and hearts to love and mercy. Amen.
anna
Also, please read Thom Shuman’s “Half-Dead in the Ditch” at www.occasionalsightings.blogspot.com
If you notice, I have suggested that you not only read the Scriptures for the morning, but also Thom Shuman’s “Half-Dead in the Ditch” posting on his blog. Thom is a friend, a writer and poet, and a Presbyterian pastor. In his thoughts on Luke 10:25-37, he has reminded me that often we find ourselves right in the middle of the Scriptures in our everyday living. I call such things “God-sightings”. Thom calls them “Occasional Sightings of the Gospel”. As I read “Half-Dead in the Ditch”, I was reminded of a different look to the “Good Samaritan” story. It is a dog's story. At first glance it seems too remote to be considered an “occasional sighting” of this Gospel lesson for today. But actually, it IS this story.
Last Friday, a fairly large puppy was seen running across the parking lot of the business where I work. Well, let's just say “trying to run”. Her front paw was caught in the makeshift collar. One of our salesmen brought the puppy into our reception area. She collapsed and closed her eyes. The collar was for a very large dog; certainly not meant for a puppy. It had been cinched in with a twist-tie. That left a loop in which her foot had become entangled. There was no "give" in the collar so she was choking herself with each step. When she collapsed on the floor, she closed her eyes. She was so exhausted from both the heat and trying to run on 3 legs that she couldn't move. We petted her for a while and whispered to her. Still, her eyes remained closed. The animal control officer said, “She doesn’t stand a chance. Look at her face. She is part pit bull. Her ears have been trimmed by the owner. He probably has intentions of raising her for dog fights. If I take her away, she will only have 3 days.” The officer left with instructions to call her again if we chose to have this puppy taken away. The puppy never moved or opened her eyes as we talked about her.
Soon we found ourselves stepping over the puppy and walking around her. She was in our way. Someone picked her up and moved her into another room as a convenience to us. Still, she didn’t move nor did she open her eyes. There was talk of calling the animal control officer back. 4:00pm came. Still no movement. Still no opened eyes. 4:30pm arrived. The little 4-year-old daughter of one of our employees came into the office area from day school. Her mother told her little daughter to stay away from the puppy. “Don’t touch her. Don’t bother her.” The little one ignored her mother's request. She sat down on the floor, curled up beside of the puppy and began to gently stroke her. She firmly told everyone to “quit stepping over her.” She whispered into the puppy's ear. She placed her head on the puppy. I stood at the door and overheard her say, "I am here. You are OK." 4:50pm. The little girl and this puppy were walking down the hall! She was a bit possessive, keeping all of us who had been walking around and stepping over the puppy, away from the puppy. A few minutes later, I sat down with the little girl on the couch in the reception area. She was gently stroking the puppy. I asked her how SHE knew what to do. Her answer? “Because I am little and the puppy is little.”
All other days, this child hates to be called little. Normally, she would put her hands on her hips, stomp her foot and say "I'm a NOT little. I am a BIG girl." She's a stubborn little thing! Perhaps, in great mercy, she was WILLING to remember her smallness for the sake of this puppy.
There was a willingness within this child to become little again for the sake of the puppy ... there was a willingness within the "Good Samaritan" to recall his own days in the ditch and remember the best way out for the sake of the one who was beaten ... there was a willingness within Jesus to become despised and rejected, to be thrown into death's ditch and to be pulled back out by God for all of our sakes.
Most Merciful God ... There was a willingness within this child, this Samaritan and certainly within Jesus to offer great mercy. Is there a willingness within me as well? Am I willing to be the neighbor who loves and shows mercy? Oh, I pray that I am but in my heart I know that I have failed so many times. Forgive me... forgive us for stepping over others. Jesus points to this little girl and her puppy and then looks into our eyes and says, “Go and do likewise." Open our eyes, O God. Open our eyes and hearts to love and mercy. Amen.
anna
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