God Pause for Sunday, 9/28/2014
/Luther Seminary God Pause
Sunday, 9/28/2014 Hymn: "This is My Father's World," ELW 824
This is my Father's world, and to my list'ning ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world; I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world; the birds their carols raise; the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise. This is my Father's world; he shines in all that's fair. In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me ev'rywhere.
This is my Father's world; oh, let me not forget that, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father's world; why should my heart be sad? The Lord is king, let heaven ring; God reigns, let earth be glad!>
Creation sings, shouts, cries out to the glory of the Lord. Rocks and trees, skies and seas, birds and flowers, sun and grass, moon and sun--all things are created and testify to the Creator and Redeemer. God has created all things. God has preserved all things. God has provided all things.
But wait. Something isn't right. As the hymn gives voice to in verse three, there is also wrongness and sadness in the world that collide with God's good creation. And this wrongness and sadness is so strong! I mean, this is my Father's world ... isn't it? I think it is? But why then this sadness?
O Lord of heaven and earth. Give me Jesus in the midst of a broken world. It is in Jesus where heaven meets earth with a kiss of new life. Yes, God isn't finished creating yet. God is making all things new. God is making you new.
Let us not forget you Father, because you have not forgotten us. Amen.>
Nate Bendorf Pastor of Youth and Family at Calvary Lutheran Church, Bemidji, Minn. Master of Divinity, 2013
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