By Susan Bates
Hebrews 12: 1-2. “So then let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne.”
These favorite verses have shone with different lights of meaning to me over the years. As a marathon-running young adult they told me to run straight, fast and true. I was so impatient to get on with life! Further into adulthood I searched for guidance about endurance, how to juggle work, family, community obligations and my personal well-being. Now as a senior, contemplating a return to Zumba and yoga at the YMCA (anything to get back into better shape), I seek inspiration to just lift one foot after the other.
Are not all Bible stories important in a similar way? They present situations essential to individual, family and societal life. They point to universal instances of “the human condition.” Across millenia of time, on a planet brimming with different languages and diverse cultures, we grapple repeatedly with these same subjects and seek divine guidance. Different characters represent various sides to the stories. I chuckle (silently since kindness counts) at arguments over which English language translation of the Bible is the one most “correct” because this is such gross misdirection. Unless God really did create humans just to make Her laugh? I believe She relishes diversity and the rainbow of different viewpoints. She built a house with many rooms and a body with many parts.
We loved Pastor Andy’s sermon about Judges 13-16 and the Israelites’ unjust leader, Samson. His rages and excesses were unsustainable “excess baggage” to his people, and the Philistines served the Lord by removing him. At our house we have our own Delilah, an 8-year-old granddaughter, so we explore this Bible story. I tell her a meaning of her name can be “Freedom Fighter,” as in the eponymous Israeli cruise missile. Like other strong women (Deborah, Jael) in the Book of Judges, Delilah was not a victim. She answered God’s call to stand up and use her own gifts to make a better life for all people.
When our Delilah admired JBER pool facilities at open swim time this weekend, I queried: “and wouldn’t you like to join the military when you grow up, like Nanna?” “No. I’m going to be an artist” came her reply. Perhaps this is a more effective path to peace? As a community we are blessed when children have opportunities to explore their own gifts, hone listening skills to hear their own callings and consider all racecourses to be open for them. We are doubly blessed when people of all ages are granted the resilience and support to adapt and improve as our world changes.
All powerful God, you have the plan. Help us love you as much for your complexities as for your simple comfort. May we find the courage to stand up and serve when called, especially in non-traditional ways. Loan us strength for our drooping hands and weak knees so we can make sure that no one misses out on your grace.
St. John member Susan Bates is a Certified Lay Servant.