The Living Scriptures of Hope
Some say the scriptures were fixed millenia ago and are the unerring Word of God. I say they are still being revealed in and through us today.
Each human life reveals to me something new about the face of God. Each person I encounter shows me that God is still unfurling Her carpet of grace. Each experience someone has in this world tells me something about the open door that no one can shut. And as was promised in the Christian scriptures, each flawed being I encounter awakens within me God’s commitment to us, “Behold, I make all things new.”
The most obvious sacred ‘scriptures’ (i.e. people) alive on the planet today echo the books of Proverbs, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes. That is to say, the books of Everyday Wisdom, Deep Sorrow, and Tolerance for Ambiguity.
In almost every person I’ve met recently I’ve witnessed a miraculous practicality in the face of overwhelming economic burden, fear for ones health and safety, and the devastation of racism/sexism/ableism. Which is to say, I witness these things mixed with the insistence on kindness, birthday parties, one-day-at-a-time-ism, and enjoying fun movies with friends. Everyday Wisdom for a good life.
I also meet people willing to grieve the tremendous losses both past, present, and future. Loss of life, country, environment, identity, civility, income, family, and the Earth herself. This willingness to grieve will save us.
And finally I’ve met people who can hold all these things; the already/not yet, environmental destruction and birthday candles, COVID deaths and new babies, political catastrophe and neighborhood barbeques.
The UCC has a saying, “God is still speaking.” I find this to be the most true thing about God these days. That not only is She still speaking, but She is speaking through us. And despite it all, she is speaking a message of deep hope, true wisdom, and powerful spiritual maturity. May your life today be revealed as one of the most sacred scriptures of all.
