Photos by Susan Bates
By Susan Bates
Cool wind swept through the hushed gathering as edges of the encircling dark desert began to glow with new light at our Easter sunrise service at an Army camp in the Middle East. Hosanna! I thought about how the women approaching Jesus’ tomb must have felt – surprisingly cold. Were they prepared for that morning, with heavy cloaks? Were they at all ready for what was to come? Are we prepared to exit what seems like a 2-year pandemic Lent with political polarization and sharpened demands to end climate destruction, health inequities, and social injustices? As Pastor Emily reminded us on Palm Sunday, remembering God in our past can guide us towards our future.
Jewish writer Abraham Riesman suggests looking to Job for a way to rebuild from disaster. The “Great Deceiver” Satan used a bet with God to cause Job to be tempted to renounce his faith. Job lost everything in his personal life-pandemic. His health, livelihood, reputation and all his possessions were ruined. His children all died. Well-meaning friends urged Job through many chapters to go along with their opinions of events. They encouraged him (Job 11: 13-15) to confess to an unknown, supposed sin: “If you make your mind resolute and spread your palms to Him, if you throw out the sin in your hands and don’t let injustice dwell in your tents, then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and not fear.” Spin doctors with fake facts, they worked hard to socially influence Job (for his own good) towards lying to God.
But Job stood firm. He repeatedly asserted his innocence. Agreeing with God’s assertations of His omnipotent nature, Job acknowledged he was only “dust” with which God could do whatever he wished. Opinions of who is most deserving of what and other judgments of men count relatively less when we realize it is really all up to God. Job exhibited complete faith. God won his bet. Riesman posits Job’s restoration to even better than his former status was due to his honesty, and that honesty is our best path out of our current world pandemic with its exposure of so many societal inequities.
All powerful God, grant us just a bit of the patience of Job. Thank you for the space of Lent to reflect on what we must sacrifice to be honest about our past, and to move forward with just rebuilding in our future. Prepare us for what comes next with the strength to believe in your miraculous love and forgiveness. May we open hearts, open minds and open doors to others with the gentle kindness of honesty.
St. John UMC member Susan Bates is a Certified Lay Servant.