Category: Prayers

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 3

The theme for this Advent season at Lakewood United Church of Christ is JOY to the World. Each day during the Advent season, a reflection on a scripture passage related to JOY will be posted. We hope these daily reflections help you to have a joy-filled Advent.

Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and no fruit is on the vines;
though the produce of the olive fails
and the fields yield no food;
though the flock is cut off from the fold
and there is no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in God;
I will exult in God my Savior.
God, my Sovereign, is my strength;
God makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and makes me tread upon the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

The prophet Habakkuk tells us, “I will rejoice in God; I will exult in God my Savior.” The word “exult” means to express joy. We are given an image of great rejoicing, praise, and celebration. The prophet brims with joy!

What is the source of this joy? Why the great rejoicing? It is not because the prophet has been blessed with favorable circumstances. In fact, he has painted a very bleak picture: No figs on the trees, no olives for oil, no food from the land, and no herds or flocks for food or milk or wool. So what is there to rejoice about? Why feel joyful?

The prophet is joyful because he sees that God has given him strength and agility and courage. The prophet feels joy because he is dealing with the terrible situation and not being completely overcome. The prophet is grateful not only to just go on, but to have feet of a deer. A deer is quick and agile and stealthy. Not just plodding. And the prophet mentions treading upon the heights – an image which suggests surmounting problems, seeing relief on the horizon, growing spiritually and becoming closer to God.

So in the midst of a very grim picture, there is joy over the blessings of resilience and fortitude. Blessings that come with trial and testing. As we reflect on the theme Joy to the World this Advent season, take a moment to think of a time in your life when you faced a severe problem. Consider something from your past that was heartbreaking for you. Remember a tragedy you faced. Reflect on an experience that was devastating. We all have such times to look back on.
Now consider how you came through that difficulty. Think about what you learned from a challenge you faced. Notice how the situation was resolved. This kind of remembering helps us to recognize strength, courage, and vision in our lives.

You may not feel all happy and bubbly at this particular moment, but reflecting on the past and seeing how you have overcome hardship and grief can be a source of joy. It can be uplifting to see what we have come through. It can reduce our fear about what may be ahead. So this day, rejoice in the strength, resilience, and vision that has blessed you on life’s journey and know it is there for you now and in the future.

Prayer
As we remember the challenges of life’s journey, and the costs of discipleship, we give thanks for the fortitude and power that has seen us through. We give thanks for companions along the way who have shared our burdens. We rejoice that the strength and vision we need is provided for us. We need not be afraid. There is cause for joy in the world and in our lives! Amen.

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 2

The theme for this Advent season at Lakewood United Church of Christ is JOY to the World. Each day during the Advent season, a reflection on a scripture passage related to JOY will be posted. We hope these daily reflections help you to have a joy-filled Advent.

Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy;
and I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
Psalm 43:4

There are many ways that we think about God and refer to God and conceive of God. In the church, a multiplicity of images are used: Creator, Father, Mother, Love, Rock, Redeemer, Shield, Protector, Sustainer, Source, Guide, Judge. But how common is it to think of God as joy? The Psalmist images, “God my exceeding joy.”

I once heard John Dominic Crossan, a biblical scholar of the Jesus Seminar, talk about how the church had been preaching and teaching love for hundreds of years, but where had it gotten us? He suggested that the church try replacing the word “love” with the word “justice” and then see how things went. Crossan implied that our word justice is closer to how Jesus was portraying the commonwealth of God.

I am wondering about using the term “Joy” for God. What if we replaced the word God with the word Joy. What if we prayed, “Our Joy, which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name”? Or, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray for Joy my soul to keep”? Or, sang, “Praise Joy from whom all blessings flow”? Or “O Joy, our help in ages past”?

I am thinking about where we might be if we exchanged the word “Joy” for the word “God.” Where might that lead the church? In my experience of church, I have seen God portrayed far more as Judge than as Joy. What kind of church would we be with a greater emphasis on Joy? How would things be different? How would Christians treat others if God was imaged primarily as Joy? How would non-Christians perceive Christians who worshipped Joy? How would the world be different if our God was Joy?Maybe the church and Christians and the world would be happier and more joyful.

The Psalmist talks about praising “God my exceeding joy. . . with the harp.” This time of year, we are surrounded by the sounds of Christmas carols and songs. They express the joy of this season. I love to sing Angels We Have Heard on High, O Come, All You Faithful, Good Christian Friends, Rejoice, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, and Joy to the World! Joy infuses We Wish You a Merry Christmas and Deck the Halls. Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, and, of course, Jingle Bells all ring with joy.

This season, surrounded by the carols and songs of Christmas, is the perfect time to try out imaging God as our exceeding Joy!

Prayer
May our lives, our faith, our church, our service, and our praise proclaim Joy within us, around us, and among us. Amen.

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 1

Reflection 1 – Advent 2011

The theme for this Advent season at Lakewood United Church of Christ is JOY to the World. Each day during the Advent season, a reflection on a scripture passage related to JOY will be posted. We hope these daily reflections help you to have a joy-filled Advent.

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks for everything – for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always. Really? How can we rejoice always? There are bad days. There are the days when you get the terrible diagnosis. Days when someone you love dies. Days when a car accident derails your future. Days when the pregnancy ends prematurely. Days when you get laid off. Days when you get a bad grade on an assignment and it drops your GPA making graduation precarious. Days when the company goes bankrupt and your pension is gone. Days when you’re beaten again by your spouse. Days when you get word that your brother was killed in combat. Days when you get another DUI. There are bad days. I am sure you can add to this list. There are days when terrible things happen – things we’re responsible for and things we aren’t. How can we possibly take seriously this directive to “Rejoice always”?

When Paul wrote this message to the Thessalonians, they were in the midst of being persecuted for their faith. They were being abused, attacked, and afflicted for their beliefs. Talk about a bad day! And yet, they are told to, “Rejoice always.” Some may see this as insensitivity. Or as the twisted embracing of martyrdom. Or denial.

But Paul does not say “Rejoice always” because of your circumstances. I take his directive to mean “Rejoice always” in spite of your circumstances. Don’t let your spirit, your life, your being, be controlled by outward events and conditions. Remember to see the bigger picture. Look for the good. Appreciate the grace present in each and every day. Give thanks for the lessons that adversity teaches. “Rejoice always” takes us beyond the challenges we face in life and keeps us connected to the deeper source, the infinite love, the eternal divine which is our lifeline on the worst of days. “Rejoice always.” Not only is it possible, but it is advisable, especially on the bad days.

Prayer
These Advent days, may we “Rejoice always”! In the midst of busyness, tragedy, sorrow, loss, and disappointment, may we focus on the goodness and blessing that each day brings. May we offer comfort and joy to others who need to be sustained by hope. May the presence of Divine Love in Jesus, in ourselves, in others, and in Creation give us cause to Rejoice ALWAYS! Amen.