Listen

My plans aren’t your plans, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.

Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my plans than your plans.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Think

We’ve received an invitation to a celebration where all can receive God’s love and mercy. On the heels of this invitation is a reminder: you are not in charge here.

We might be tempted to respond to the invitation with constructive criticism: sit those people over there, or speak of your mercy in that way…. It’s natural, especially if we find ourselves in roles of power or authority in our lives. We might imagine that we can see the picture in its entirety, and we have some suggestions to streamline or better organize things.

Today, God reminds us that our role is not to edit the invitation itself, nor the celebration to follow. Our job is to receive and respond to God’s joyous welcome. We cannot see the picture in its entirety, God reminds us. You are not in charge here.

The season of Lent asks us to let go of the illusion of control. God invites us to enjoy the celebration, not organize it. Where is God reminding you of this in your life?

Paris Ball

Pray

Lord God, thank you for reminding me that I am not in charge.

Help me remember that my work is to accept your love, and that work is enough.

Help me follow you without trying to take the lead.

Amen.

Go

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Spread his praise from shore to shore;
how he loveth, ever loveth,
changeth never, nevermore;
how he watches o’er his loved ones,
died to call them all his own;
how for them he intercedeth,
watcheth o’er them from the throne.

S. Trevor Francis in “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” (1890)