Emmitsburg Council of Churches

 
 


Being a Part of the Master's Plan

"For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you." (Isaiah 62:5)

God as our builder and God as our marriage partner, here are two intriguing images of God that Isaiah uses in order to tell the people of Israel that God loves them and will see that they are well kept. As members of Christ's Church, we can also place ourselves into the capable hands of our Lord who is a Master Builder and who also views the Church as a bride who is being prepared for the wedding ceremony.

Some of us may be a bit shy about the image of matrimony when thinking of our relationship to God. You might prefer to consider yourself "a work of God in progress". This is fine (for now!), it can be helpful to remember that, day by day, God is building us up to be the people who bear his light in the world. At the same time however, through our baptism, we are called into being fully active members of Christ's Church -- now! We cannot lay around waiting to be "good enough" to be of some use to God.

We have to be active members of the Builder's project today!

Sometimes when you're at the "building site" it seems as though everyone is just standing around. Maybe the foreman has gotten detained with some details or has to meet with other members of the crew who need extra guidance. As part of the Builder's team, it may be up to you to take some initiative and figure out what needs doing, gather up a few extra worker people and go n' get the job done. Chances are, the Chief Builder will notice your initiative and bless you and everyone else in your efforts.

Whether or not you can relate to that other image of our Lord, as Bridegroom, the image of matrimony can also be helpful in strengthening our commitment to the Lord and in upholding one another. A successful marriage entails that a husband and a wife share responsibility for their household. Each seeks to better the other by showing mutual respect, affection, and equality as they bear whatever difficulties may be encountered in life. Christ calls each of us to live out our days in sacrificial service toward one another and to strangers who may cross our path. In all of our relationships we must do our best to uphold our marital vows "to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, till death do us part." When we are faithful to being Christ's partner in serving the world to the best of our ability - then we will know the true delight that God takes in us.

"So shall your God rejoice over you."

The peace of Christ dwell with you and yours richly in this new year, and may his light shine through your lives and deeds. Amen

Pastor Jon

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