Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article How now? Wait then. Friday, December 3, 2010 Isaiah 29:17-21 Thus says the Lord God: In just a little while ... will the deaf, the blind, the lowly, the poor rejoice in the Holy One. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone. All who are alert to do evil will be cut off - those whose mere word condemns a man and leaves the just man with an empty claim. When I am covered by tyranny or condemnation, I cry out for these words to come to pass. Now, Lord! More, Lord! Have mercy on your son, oh Lord! I don't experience much tyranny or condemnation. In America, I have food to eat. Randy Newman puts his tongue in his cheek and writes for the slaves onboard ships from Africa: "You'll just sing about Jesus and drink wine all day, it's great to be an American ..." What? Me worry? My mind fills up with clichéd reminders of my well-being. Don't worry. Be hoppy! I maintain my complacence in two ways, by doing everything possible to sustain my own happiness and by ignoring the misery of others. God has something else to say. Look around you. Notice your brothers and sisters and open yourself to them. And don't be in a hurry. I have this new life for you "in just a little while." Wait for me. Jesus said, to the chagrin of my activist side, "The poor you will always have with you." Wait and let me lead, he says. Honor, follow, worship me. But He also said to Peter (three times!), "Feed my sheep." I know less, not more, about how to bring paradise on earth; and today I look for the patience to live that out and keep listening for how. Don't let me be cynical, Lord, about anything, especially about the possibility of peace on earth. And please show me how to stay out of your way. Let what energy I have be an instrument of your peace. "; Add      Edit    Delete