A Bit About the Weather

Luke 12: 54-56
He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens.  And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens.  You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

We're not aware of the water in which we swim. We move about each day in our lives of plenty and prosperity, and seldom wonder about the cost to others, to the planet, to ourselves, and the impact that our way of life will have on future generations.  We are very much a "now" centered people. 

I'm not beating us up.  We've been socialized to live this way.  It's what we know.  And billions of dollars are spent each day to keep us this way... unaware... thinking for ourselves and about ourselves;  how to fix ourselves, or comfort ourselves, or plan for ourselves, or protect ourselves.

I don't believe Jesus was berating the disciples as much as he was entreating them to wake up to the truth about living this way.  He's asking them to read the times; to look beyond themselves and their own interests. (Or in the words of Paul: Look not to your own interest but to the interests of others- Phil. 2:4) 

We're so very good at looking at the sky and predicting the weather, says Jesus, but we can't seem to recognize the writing on the wall it when it really counts.  

We, as disciples of Christ, are to be about the business of the Kin-dom of God; to help usher in the new era of peace, shalom.  The way in which that happens is each of us helping the other to see what's happening around us.  To recognize what lay beneath the surface of our emphasis on "self care." To read the signs of a world that, without care, will face a dark future.

Jesus loves and cares for us.  He's given us all we need to help create a better world for us, and for the future.  His confidence in us to accomplish this task is astounding! His encouragement is unceasing! Over and over he reminds us of our value and of God's great love for us.  It is a foundational truth each of us must accept in order to take part in this fantastic plan for restoration and renewal. Oh that we could only see it ourselves!

Peace,
​Pastor Linda

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