Rousing a Deaf World

Joel 2:13a (NRSVue) - rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord your God,

Here, the prophet implores the people to return to the Lord.

In Biblical times people would tear their clothing when they were overcome with the pain of grief.

This would be an outward sign plainly understood by any observer,

But here the prophet, speaking for God, indicates that a change of heart is necessary.

Clothing is temporary and can be replaced, but a true change of heart is permanent.

And such a change is apparent to God and the one who repents.

It can also be as visible to others as is torn clothing.

Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, tells the people to glorify God.

Paul states they should do so in body and in spirit,

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NRSVue) - For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

In times of pain and difficulty, it is easy to turn inward as a means of isolating ourselves from pain.

But in doing so, we also isolate ourselves from both God and community.

The far better option is for us to turn to Christ.

With His help, we experience a true change in self.

So equipped, we can rejoin and experience community as opposed to solitude.

We can reach out and serve others in pain and in need.

We can extend mercy to others just as Christ was merciful to us.

C.S. Lewis put it this way: “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, July 19, 2024.

I will be back here on Friday, July 26, 2024