Many Names

 

This week we have explored and expanded upon understandings of God.  Today, I invite you to write your description of the Divine.  Or if you prefer, draw God.  Or if you prefer to compose a poem or write a hymn or somehow, in someway give expression of what is in the cobwebbed corner of your soul about how the Sacred has/is/will continue to shape you. 

 

I think of a great hymn by Brian Wren entitled Bring Many Names.  Read these words to provoke your thoughts today:

 

Bring many names, beautiful and good,
celebrate, in parable and story,
holiness in glory, living, loving God.
Hail and hosanna! Bring many names!

Strong mother God, working night and day,
planning all the wonders of creation,
setting each equation, genius at play:
Hail and hosanna, strong mother God!

Warm father God, hugging every child,
feeling all the strains of human living,
caring and forgiving till we're reconciled:
Hail and hosanna, warm father God!

Old, aching God, grey with endless care,
calmly piercing evil's new disguises,
glad of good surprises, wiser than despair:
Hail and hosanna, old aching God!

Young, growing God, eager, on the move,
saying no to falsehood and unkindness,
crying out for justice, giving all you have:
Hail and hosanna, young, growing God!

Great, living God, never fully known,
joyful darkness far beyond our seeing,
closer yet than breathing, everlasting home:
Hail and hosanna, great, living God!

 

I love that last verse ~ to pray and pay attention to the One who is never fully known, but knows us/loves us fully.  Pray to the One who continues to hold a light amid the chaos of today.  Pray to the One who is right here hovering next to your lips as you inhale and helps you find a safe space to be.  This living God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from punishment.  Amen.