Thursday November 1st, 2018 All Saints Day John 11:32-44
But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?" (verse 37)
The movie The Ten Commandments airs every Easter. Because of that movie, I have long imagined Moses to look and talk like Charlton Heston. This has taught me, “I knew Moses. And you are not Moses.” Yet, in this verse, I see someone like me, someone like many of us. Like Moses, we can perceive God asking us to speak out on God’s behalf. It might be a call to leadership in our congregation, companionship with those who are lonely, serving food at a soup kitchen, or being sensitive to the needs of those we love. It might include challenging those who seek to marginalize those different from themselves, standing up against those literally and figuratively enslaving others, welcoming those fleeing oppression, or working to encourage truth and reconciliation. “Not me, God! You’ve got the wrong person. I don’t have what it takes. You’ll end up disappointed and angry with me.” God answers, “Yes, you! I will enable you to do what I ask, equipping you with gifts, bringing you into community to share your strengths, and going with you to accomplish my vision. O my son, my daughter, I am sending you!”
God of the past, present and future, help us in the midst of our questions to offer thanks for your Spirit moving among us and all the saints, sharing hope. Amen. — MHD
Contributed by Asking the Question
The movie The Ten Commandments airs every Easter. Because of that movie, I have long imagined Moses to look and talk like Charlton Heston. This has taught me, "I knew Moses. And you are not Moses." Yet, in this verse, I see someone like me, someone like many of us. Like Moses, we can perceive God asking us to speak out on God's behalf. It might be a call to leadership in our congregation, companionship with those who are lonely, serving food at a soup kitchen, or being sensitive to the needs of those we love. It might include challenging those who seek to marginalize those different from themselves, standing up against those literally and figuratively enslaving others, welcoming those fleeing oppression, or working to encourage truth and reconciliation. "Not me, God! You've got the wrong person. I don't have what it takes. You'll end up disappointed and angry with me." God answers, "Yes, you! I will enable you to do what I ask, equipping you with gifts, bringing you into community to share your strengths, and going with you to accomplish my vision. O my son, my daughter, I am sending you!"
