Prophet-ting with God

 

“(The prophets) had to remind the people that chosenness must not be mistaken as divine favoritism or immunity from chastisement, but, on the contrary, that it meant being more seriously exposed to divine judgment and chastisement.” ― Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Prophets

 

Heschel today reminds us that chosen-ness is not immunity or impunity from responsibility.  Rather, when God calls us “beloved”, we enter into a relationship that shapes our whole lives.  Last Sunday, we heard Hosea call to sense God’s bands of love to lead us.  One of the beautiful tensions of the prophets is how God’s love can be both unconditional and stir our souls, changing our lives.  To be sure, all relationships make demands upon us.  For example, after twenty-five years of marriage, my wife and I have defined and distinguished our expectations of each other.  We have worked hard to make sure chores are covered (the lawn is mine to mow, the pool is hers to clean).  We have settled into a holy rhythm.  I may forget that these are our unwritten covenant of connection.  This is the case with the people and God.  We forget that unconditional love longs to be let loose in our lives to author how we live.  We forget that grace makes a claim on us and calls us to a particular place and people (especially those who are being hurt and harmed by the status quo of social order).  Prophets are masters of paradox.  Yes, God loves you as is.  And, yes, God’s love will do something to you and through you the more you let it roam around.

 

Humans are not immune to our own brokenness, individually and collectively.  The Prophets call us to be honest, humble, and heartfelt in admitting and accepting this. God is not as angry, but as calling us back to the image of the Holy that hovers within us, longing to be the energy we live from. 

 

As we continue to listen to the prophets, as we continue to rub our toes, they stomp on and our egos they poke at, where are you at?  Which of the words from the last few weeks are stretching you, and where are you resisting the Prophet’s call?  Where would you rather point your fingers at others and stomp your foot that you’ve got it all figured out, thank you very much?!?  When I am reading the prophets, I find denial and deflection are natural reactions.  And as people of faith, we are called to learn from our ancestors who had resistance, but also longed to live deeper into the reflection of God.  May these words continue to sing and stir us in these days.  

May you find moments to reflect on the last time your toes were stepped or stomped upon...whose toes have you stepped or stomped on recently?

Amen.