Prophet-ting with God

 

We still want to make something or somebody a sacrifice so that the status quo can be maintained.  Richard Rohr

 

Who are we sacrificing today for the sake of the status quo?  This is a difficult, demanding question because it shines a light on an inconvenient truth that we benefit from the ways things are, even as we complain about it.  We can be offended because we don’t want to admit or accept that others hurt, so we can go about our lives.  How do we embody a paradox of saying we want change…we just want everyone else to go first?!?

The prophets ask difficult and demanding questions of our souls.  The prophets are so passionate that they can end up pushing us away with their endless calls to repent ~ which means to go a different direction.  Repentance isn’t about raining guilt, shame, and blame ~ repentance is to accept that we are accepted by God and that eternal affection transforms our lives. 

 

I can sacrifice rest at the altar of looking necessary and needed.

I can sacrifice clinging to savings accounts at the altar of fear that there is not enough.

I can sacrifice helping others at the altar of wanting to be seen as a good person.

I can sacrifice looking put together at the altar of other people’s opinions.

I can sacrifice wanting to say the “right” things at the altar of being considered acceptable.

I can sacrifice pushing myself at the altar of being considered productive.

 

Where are you sacrificing when God is calling you to rest and be in this moment?  May that question churn, challenge, and remind you that you are beloved not for any other reason than God’s claim on your life.  Amen.