An unbelieving heart
On the glorious splendour of your majesty
And on your wondrous works, I will meditate. Psalm 145:5
Read Hebrews 3:12—4:1
The scripture reminds me how easy it is to forget the living God. Very likely this day I have just lived has made the point quite clearly. The spiritual practices the church has taught me, regular communion, worship and preaching, the seasons of Advent and Christmas, of Lent and Easter and Pentecost, all serve as reminders not to forget. They also link me in to what it is that I remember, better, in to who it is. To forget God I would need to forget this participation, or do it in bored detachment. I would need to forget the depth of the suffering love of Jesus for me, his victory over the grave, my grave; his bearing of my sin on the cross; (working backwards) his agony in the garden; his struggle with the tempter; his baptism, identifying with my human plight. Before that I’d need to forget his humble birth, his birth into my humanity. And before all that I’d need to forget Israel’s wilderness wandering, their ungrateful rebellion after being freed from Egypt and being promised a land. I’d forget the promised blessing to Abraham. I’d forget that I’m part of the creation of the Word of God, that I’m in God’s image. I’d forget my own human dignity, my very meaning. I’d forget the point of it all.
Father, I thank you for those patterns built into the life of my church community, and into my daily life, practices I have been taught by those who have been shepherds of my soul, spiritual practices and church celebrations that have renewed my faith in you. Bless those who lead me and teach me in my communion. They have reminded me of your saving action among humanity and in my own life. It is good for me to remember your kindness in all these patterns, rhythms and habits, to remember in the shape of my life and in the seasons of the church your great kindness in salvation.