Too Good to Be True
I often wonder how I would have responded if I was one of the disciples following Jesus. Would I have been quiet and reflective, trying to absorb and learn as much as I possibly could? Would I have been boisterous, almost running on adrenaline, trying to keep up with him and trying to be a part of everything he was doing? Would my pragmatic brain have gotten mired down in details of traveling, where would we stay and what would we do for meals? Or would the logical side of my nature have taken control and told me that everything he was saying could be ours through our relationship with Spirit was just too good to be true?
I want to take everything Jesus taught and accept it with no question. But it’s hard sometimes. There’s so much about the world and our lives that seems to refute it all. God’s love is for all – yet so many are hurting. God’s peace is for all – yet our world continues to be at war. God’s justice is for all – yet our systems perpetuate the injustices that have fueled our culture for generations. Sometimes, Jesus’ message for us just seems too good to be true.
Then I look at the people who’ve been a part of my journey: my parents, my friends, my mentors, the people in my church – wonderful examples of steadfastness and faithful belief. When I doubt and when I stumble, I look around and see so many ways in which The Holy One shows up – day after day, moment after moment. Divine Love is present around us always, even in the messiest and ugliest of situations. Especially in the messiest and ugliest of situations.
Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that the power at work within us, through God’s love, is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine. Abundantly more! Too good? Yes! True? Also yes!
Joyce Wealand
Northwest Christian Church