All of today's readings are rich with wisdom and perspective. Today's Gospel reading is the well-known story of the Prodigal Son, but I want to focus mainly on one verse in today's Psalm:
"For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him." (Psalm 103:11)
The Prophet Isaiah writes something similar: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9).
The general idea presented in these verses is straightforward enough - God is extremely kind and extremely wise - but what should we do about it? Most people would easily agree that these are fundamental aspects of God's character, but how should these qualities transform our own character and perspective?
One answer is presented in the first verse: we should fear God. We should honor God with our lives with the understanding that it is a scary thought to be apart from God. We should stand in astonishment and awe of God with the understanding that God holds us in the palm of God's hand and orchestrates each new day. We should love, respect, and obey God like children with the understanding that God is our Father. When we adopt this posture toward God, God's kindness abounds. We understand that all good things come from God, and we extend our roots into the river of God's kindness - where else would we extend them?
Another answer is this: we should not lean on our own understanding. In any given situation, particularly a difficult situation, my mind can only think of so many options, and many of those options can be quite pessimistic. When I lean on my own understanding as I attempt to make sense of my circumstances, there is always a very real possibility of despair. It is possible to think God is not in control. Yet, when we trust that God's ways and thoughts are incomprehensibly higher than our own thoughts, there is no room for despair. God has always saved God's people, even in the face of unthinkable circumstances. We read about Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Mary, Paul, Francis, Clare, and so many more. They had faith in a God who knew much more than them, and they deeply trusted in that God. They knew that they could not predict the future in detail, but they trusted that God had their back, especially when they seemingly had no way out. Their perspective enabled them to live bold lives for God that we are still reflecting on today.
As we continue our Lenten journey, let us take a minute to consider the reality of God's faithfulness, steadfast love, surpassing kindness, and deep, deep wisdom and omniscience. Did Daniel actually survive for a night in the lion's den? Did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego really just walk right out of the furnace unscathed? Did Jesus really conquer the grave? If they did, and I believe they did, than we can approach the lions, furnaces, and crosses of our days with complete trust in the God who saved them - and that is excellent news for us!
Timothy Nagy
Assistant Director of Mission, Ministry & Interfaith Dialogue
Assistant Director of Mission, Ministry & Interfaith Dialogue
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