The Greatest of These

Micah is a prophet who's watching the nation of Israel fall apart before his eyes. People's lives are being destroyed, the right to equality which every Israelite should have is all but non-existent. In fact cheating, stealing, and slavery are the tools used by the leaders of the nation to build a better life for themselves. What does Micah have to say about a nation built on the backs of "the least of these?" What does that lead to? And most importantly, what does Micah reveal the solution to be?

In this season we are seeing so many people longing for justice. Justice for COVID-19 and most recently, justice for George Floyd. The injustice of that situation has splintered and lead to many other situations where injustice has occurred. When everyone demands justice, how can justice be accomplished? What does LOVE say about justice? How can we be LOVE to those who are deeply longing for restitution?

As I've been processing this whole COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place order, there has been one major theme that keeps popping up. This episode begins to share that idea. I hope it's an encouragement for 

Since the pandemic of Covid-19, the world has found itself in a situation it hasn't been in for a very long time. People are scared, worried, anxious, and many people are finding themselves going through this season without any hope. We as Christians are called to be people of hope and people filled and fueled by hope. But what exactly is hope and how can we live in it when the world around us seems to be getting darker by the day?

When Jesus sat down to celebrate the passover with his disciples, they were focused on the LORD's past provision. Jesus took this celebration and turned it's attention away from God's provision of salvation in the past and redirected it to celebrate the act of salvation that was fast approaching.When we take communion we need to remember that it is a celebration, not a funeral. The funny thing is that Jesus on repeat tells us what the purpose of communion is and we so easily and often miss it.

As we continue our study in the book of Ruth, Naomi potentially gives some awful advice but Ruth handles it with much grace and respect. Boaz is almost taken for a fool but Ruth shows him respect and in return Boaz makes a promise that shapes the whole of human history.

Boaz shows Ruth much love through his actions and his acts of love don't just affect her but many people. We talk about the facts that love is always an action, tales of love spread like wildfire, and love doesn't separate, segregate, or discriminate. Love is always inclusive.

When difficulties come into our lives it's very easy to focus on ourselves and our hurt and lose sight on the things that matter. Love calls us to faith and hope and believe that even if all else fails, we are loved and will be cared for. And likewise, too often we believe that hard times and difficulties are because of our decisions when often they are put in place to show us our need for God and his provision. It's not easy but love isn't focused on what's easy or expedient, it's focused on God.

Love is the universal calling. Every nation, every culture, every background, and gender, and personality is longing for love. Love is the highest virtue and is never the wrong choice. Yet so much of the world, though searching for it, doesn't know where to find love. And sadly those who have and know true love are often those who are the worst at sharing it.