The World Really Is Flat (or at least it needs to be)

Isaiah 26:7-15

Reflection:

Who would have known? North Dakota may be the holiest place in the U.S.

As many of you know, I lived in Fargo, North Dakota for three years from 2005-2008. Every year, when Advent would come, and we would hear from the prophet Isaiah about “preparing a way for the Lord,” I would start to wonder if North Dakota really was a exceptionally holy place. Why? Because Isaiah tells us that “valleys will be raised and mountains will be brought low” to prepare the way of the Lord. Essentially, the Lord really likes walking on flat ground…and North Dakota is FLAT.

In the Bible reading linked above, we hear the ancient prophet explain a little more about what this means. However, his explanation challenges our modern associations with the word “judgment.”

In the passage above, Isaiah says that “the way of the righteous is level,” and “in the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you…”

When I read that, I picture God’s judgments a bit like an earth mover preparing for a new freeway; filling in the low places and bringing down the high places so the roadbed is perfectly flat.

Understood this way, God’s judgments are like the judgments of a judge – case by case, making wrongs right and bringing equality and justice. It is not that God judges us like people judge us – making assumptions about us and treating us differently because of those assumptions. No, the Bible tells us that from his throne, THIS judge raises up those who are low and humbles those who are on their high horse. If the unexpected turns of life have us feeling low, this is good news – God will make the wrongs right. However, if we are comfortable and resting high above those in need, this passage can be a warning. God really prefers flat ground – where those in need are fed and those with plenty understand themselves as blessed TO BE a blessing to others.

So as I read the passage above one more time, I take great comfort in the fact that my main job is to wait in the path of God’s leveling love. Maybe, my time in North Dakota helped me see the beauty of flat ground…

Prayer: God of justice and love, if we are low, raise us up to live in your love. If we are too high, humble us and bring us into the path of your joy and abundant life. Amen.