S - Exodus 24:9-11 (NIV): "Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank." O - This is a very curious story … not that God came down to humans (Jesus confirms this as an assumed) nor that mere mortals were allowed to look at God and live (both Old and New Testaments record those who do this) … but that "they ate and drank." Of all the possible responses humans have at their disposal in an encounter with God Almighty what is this? Moses will go on to spend 40 days and nights with God without eating or drinking. Why was this a part of their experience and is this recorded? Scripture does not directly tell us but I think the following:
1. God is more comfortable with our humanity than we are (after all he made it).
2. We were created for relationship with God as children and friends. What's more family and friend like than a meal together?
3. Culture/religion wants to make this type of exchange a rare exception.
4. Jesus comes to affirm this exchange as the rule, not the exception.
"Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." - John 14:23
A - Today I'll make a couple hundred decisions which will range in importance and scope. It will involve an equal number of human things and the beauty is that God wants into them all. Not as the supervisor watching for the mistakes I may make but as a Father and Friend who cares about who I am and what I'm doing … one who loves. Regardless of the decisions I make (best or worst, good and bad) I will be no less nor no more loved. He wants in to affirm, teach, heal, transform, reveal, love and yes, forgive. He doesn't want to visit, he wants to stay. He doesn't want me to visit or get religious on him … he wants me to come near and stay near; to make his home (monhv: residence, staying, abode, mansion) with me/us. Today, he will shepherd me and when necessary give me input and even when it's not "necessary" he may drop me a line or two … give me a nudge or an inkling … brush me with his presence or touch me with his love. Today I have vision of Jesus and when I see him I see his Father and my Father. Today from all my hopes and dreams to the bread in my teeth God has a will on earth and I'm included, invited, wanted and loved. Wow … it's going to be a great day!
P - Father who wants us,
Thank you for today and for your willingness to love me and the world I live in. Thank you for not leaving me to myself nor withholding your presence, direction and care. Today I want to follow, to have the irrepressible life of Jesus coming into me and out of me. Today, Lord I admit and welcome your awesome brilliance, limitless power and extreme goodness. I accept my primary assignment to love you back with my all and my neighbor as myself. I give myself to you and to the work, the work of believing. I want and need you … want and need you to make your home with me today while it is called today. Welcome home,
Steve
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