REJECTION
Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
This verse gives the solution to rejection! Rather than “walking under a continuous low-lying black cloud” (The Message) because we feel that we constantly fail at following the path we set out for ourselves, we are freed by God’s gift to us to follow the Spirit of Christ. Rejection is a real downer which leaves us feeling alone, depressed and wondering why life is worth living. We forget that the Word, Spirit, Breath (ruach), Light of Christ have been with us from the big bang (and before) to lead us through the dark times.
But looking at God as “out there” contradicts what Christ came to show us. God is always with us. We are part of the creation formed by God, as are the trees, rocks, snakes, and wildebeests. And not only is God with us, we are “totally surrounded and infused by God.” [Thus,] “we cannot not live in the presence of God.” (Rohr, 1/5/18).
Living into this relationship with God means that we come closer and closer to reflecting God’s image and spirit. Let this be our call for Lent, to live out our spiritual heritage and to see God in those around us, even those least like ourselves. Doing something for others becomes a loving communion with them, not a form of pity or false self-sacrifice. Living in communion is what so many of the outreach activities we do are meant to be. Let us remember to treat those we serve with love and respect and see God in them and ourselves.
Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
This verse gives the solution to rejection! Rather than “walking under a continuous low-lying black cloud” (The Message) because we feel that we constantly fail at following the path we set out for ourselves, we are freed by God’s gift to us to follow the Spirit of Christ. Rejection is a real downer which leaves us feeling alone, depressed and wondering why life is worth living. We forget that the Word, Spirit, Breath (ruach), Light of Christ have been with us from the big bang (and before) to lead us through the dark times.
But looking at God as “out there” contradicts what Christ came to show us. God is always with us. We are part of the creation formed by God, as are the trees, rocks, snakes, and wildebeests. And not only is God with us, we are “totally surrounded and infused by God.” [Thus,] “we cannot not live in the presence of God.” (Rohr, 1/5/18).
Living into this relationship with God means that we come closer and closer to reflecting God’s image and spirit. Let this be our call for Lent, to live out our spiritual heritage and to see God in those around us, even those least like ourselves. Doing something for others becomes a loving communion with them, not a form of pity or false self-sacrifice. Living in communion is what so many of the outreach activities we do are meant to be. Let us remember to treat those we serve with love and respect and see God in them and ourselves.
Carole Kimmel
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