This past Fall, voters in Scotland rejected independence from the UK 55% to 45%. There appeared to be a bit of English nationalism at play, which makes Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the UK a bit dicey. I have followed the devolution discussion for ten years now and am quite fascinated by it. Listening to the different voices is quite compelling. The testimonies are impactful.
Testimony is a curious thing. It can convince a jury of innocence or guilt. Testimony can encourage movie goers to attend a particular flick. Testimony can also close a restaurant if the reviews of the cuisine are unfavorable.
The Samaritan woman had a positive experience with Jesus even though it was confrontative in nature. Her life changed. And she told people about it.
God promises hope. And, God guarantees that promise with an oath. Hope is a sure and certain anchor of the soul.
We need that anchor. Faced with the looming economic collapse in Russia and even China, the world is wondering…waiting…what’s next. Unemployment is at 5.8% in the US, yet many families still live below the poverty line. Churches are open, but how transformative is our work? Is the testimony of God’s healing love taking it to the streets so that many are saying “bring it?”
God is always making the way clear, even when it seems otherwise.
Perhaps that is the necessary testimony; followers of Jesus remaining faithful and hopeful in trying times. I think that kind of testimony will play in that it will bring calmness to someone’s chaos. And then perhaps the testimony will beg the questions, how and why?
Scripture readings are taken from the two-year daily lectionary cycle which follows the liturgical calendar and begins on the First Sunday of Advent.
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