December 3, 2015
Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
IT’S TIME TO ASK THE DEEPER QUESTIONS
It’s time to ask the questions: What of my life? Am I fashioning myself as a sword or being fashioned into a plow? I want to be sharpened for the glory of God. I must be bent instead for the glory of the ground. I want to climb the mountain, take the hill, ascend to greatness. I must learn to churn the soil so my children might come after me sowing seeds of Light. What will be my legacy? What do I leave in my wake—a fertile furrow or a monument to myself?
These words are not practical, you say. And you are correct. These words purpose to unshackle us from the false security of a safe existence. You were made for more. You were crafted to express the impractical extravagance of Holy Love.
The Mountain of You
How can I climb the mountain of you Lord?
Where are the dusty cuts carved out?
I’ve spent most of this life wandering—
sometimes toward, sometimes away—
but always dazed and unsure whether
it’s ascent or descent, rise or fall.
Whether rolling in a stream
or falling from a summit,
a stone is a stone is a stone
and I’ve seen these forms before.
My God, my God—
how will I get to you?
Is it a mountain
and my legs are broken?
Is it a boulder
too heavy for my arms?
Either way, it will not be moved.
This stone feels familiar.
Give me life and roll it quietly away.
—Dave Harrity
NOTE TO READERS:
In case you missed the update Sunday here’s the plan. James was the not the best idea for Advent. We will begin that Jan 1. This week, I will be running the first week of Not Yet Christmas: It’s Time for Advent, a book I put together last year. If you would like to continue through Christmas I am inviting you to get your copy of the book here (SoftCover or Digital) Use the code DTADVENT for a 25% discount. And the offer stands, if you can’t afford a book at this time email me and I will be glad to send you a copy on the house.
THE QUESTIONS
- Think about the difference between a sword and a plow. What are the implications of that contrasting metaphor for your own life?
- “You were crafted to express the impractical extravagance of Holy Love.” How does this sit with you? Put “I” in place of “You” and say it aloud to yourself. How did that hit you?
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J.D. Walt serves as Seedbed’s Sower in Chief. jd.walt@seedbed.com.