Thursday, December 16, 2010

Checkmate!




  
Reflection:

Jesus is a realist. Because of who he is, he knows both the struggles and joys that are a part of being human. But even more important than that, he knows which one has the final say, and in fact it is HIM that has the final say.

The above passage is Jesus' response to his disciples' anxiety about his departure. Jesus knows anxiety doesn't have the final say – he knows that loneliness and heartache don't have the final say – in fact it is HIM who has the final say.

One of my favorite Christian music artists, Chris Rice, has a song called "The Final Move" in which he likens life to a chess game. And I want to leave you today with the refrain from that song, which still echoes in my head any time I fear that my life's struggles might have me in checkmate:

"It was love that set this fragile planet rolling – tilting at our perfect 23
Molecules and men infused with holy – finding our way around the galaxy
And paradise has up and flown away for now
but hope still breathes, and truth is always true
Just when we think it's almost over, love has the final move.
Love has the final move…"

As we will hear again in a week, in a manger...
the checkmate in this grand game belongs to God, who, the Bible tells us, IS love.

Prayer: God of the future, speak hope into our darkness and re-create our trust in you. Amen.

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