Our Father in Heaven...

Deuteronomy 4:39  (NRSV)

39 So acknowledge today and take to heart that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

Sometimes I think we forget that God is not just “in heaven above”.  I mean, we’re taught from an early age that God is up there.  When a loved one is gone, we tell children that they have gone to be with Jesus up in heaven.  When things are going really well, we say “Somebody up there must like me.”. When we pray some of us lift our hands and our eyes up to the sky, and speak as if God is above us, above the clouds.  Even the prayer that Jesus taught us begins by addressing “Our Father in heaven”.

So it’s probably not that surprising that sometimes we wonder where God is when stuff is hitting the fan.  “Where is God?” we say as we look up to the sky.  “Can God not see what is happening here?”  When that happens we may get discouraged and stop trying to do the right thing.  We may feel overwhelmed and alone. I think that is most likely to happen when we insist on seating God on a throne somewhere above the clouds, basking in the worship of the citizens of heaven, enjoying the music as choirs of angels sing Alleluias all the live long day.  

I believe that our God is a working God, sustaining the movement of the universe, paying attention to all of creation.  God not only sees what is happening, but stands right next to us, sharing our troubles and our joys while looking over our shoulders at whatever we are facing.  Not controlling the situation, but lending us strength and supporting us as we go through it.  

Sometimes it feels like Christians are all about how to get themselves into heaven by and by instead of doing the work of reconciling the world to God.  That’s what Christians are supposed to be doing, so that the earth can be like heaven, a place where abiding by God’s will is the rule not the exception.  We are supposed to be about the business of building the Beloved Community, a world where no one suffers oppression, and God’s justice and mercy rule.  God is our partner in that work, sometimes whispering suggestions in our ears, sometimes finding it necessary to hit us upside the head with a “God by 4” to get our attention.  

Where ever we are, God is with us, and we can take heart from that knowledge.  We are never alone, never abandoned, never neglected.  No matter what is going on, God has our backs, and all will be well.

Loving God, who lives in the heavens and on the earth, we are so grateful that you stand with us through the ups and downs of our lives.  Help us, we pray, heal the world, so that all persons can come to know your love and your peace.   Amen.