“Yesterday"

Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.

Now it looks as though they're here to stay.

Oh, I believe in yesterday.

You know the song. And the obvious question, who’s the band?  The challenges of the day make yesterday seem like a walk in the park. The song speaks of a challenge and a relational mess. Something important was missed or something was said with undesirable consequence. The simple lyrics question what could have caused such tension.

It’s not unusual for there to be times of tension in relationships, and in life. This was certainly the case for Martin Luther, the women of the reformation, the disciples in the here and now and ancient times, even Jesus.

Amidst the challenges, have you ever thought you don’t measure up? Or that you aren’t good enough? You question your own worthiness?  And wonder if such a tremendous mistake would cause God to turn away?   

This was part of what drove a young Martin into a deep existential crisis about his worthiness before God and ultimately the relationship God had with him and the world. 

Martin, accused by the law, found little relief in the punitive God in which he believed. For a time, Martin’s fallen humanity was too much for him to bear before God. Over time, Martin came to understand God as generous with grace and mercy.  A giver - of a faith that justified. 

The mountains shook, the waters raged, and the mountains trembled with tumult. Martin had yet to discover a God of refuge and strength.  He knew a God whom he tremble before in fear and anguish. This didn’t sit well with Martin. On his course of life, God showed him another way.  He would learn to stand in awe of God and his humanity instead of fear. 

Bottom Line: Even as the limits/shortcomings of our full humanity make us gasp, God’s grace roots us in love, giving dignity and worth through the cross of Christ. 

I like this quote:

“The cross is the place where the life of God intersects with our lives most honestly and profoundly. This is the place where all our illusions about ourselves come to an end.”

While I like the quote. There is a promise of healing and wholeness held within it. The thing is, I'm not sure we want to be confronted with all of our illusions about ourselves. Too much all at once. Instead, little by little, gently spoken in love by a friend. 

God doesn’t shy away from our full humanity. Since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Simultaneously saint and sinner. God holds up a mirror to help us see the saint and sinner in all of us. Not so that we cower in fear, but so we walk forward in the fullness of life.

God’s gift of faith and justification, are God’s YES to us. 

It’s a yes to you and a yes to me. It’s also God’s yes to our neighbour and to the people we find most perplexing and even annoying.  

Yes, Yes, Yes!  

You are a child of God. And you belong. You belong, not because of what you believe or how you behave or what you have done. Those aren’t the requirements for you to belong. You belong because you are God’s.  (Thanks for this fresh reminder Mark Miller)

Jesus invites the saint and the sinner into this dance where we live and move and have our being.  On the shores of the sea of Galilee, Jesus’ invitation to the ‘would be followers’ wasn’t get your life together and then come follow me. Jesus’ invitation was follow me and together we’ll be learners along the way. Moments of tension will arise and will ponder the peace of yesterday. 

So often we go down the path of self justification. We come face to face with our limitations / shortcomings. Retreating in fear, ignoring, making excuses, rationalizing for self preservation.  It’s a protective mechanism which sometimes is helpful. 

Martin Luther’s struggles with unworthiness and despair led him to experience the gospel as gift and relief from self justification. He could never fulfill all of the requirements of the law and realized this was not a prerequisite for God.  

Bottom Line: 

Even as our shortcomings make us gasp, God’s grace roots us in love. Revealing our full humanity while giving dignity and worth, in spite of and even through the most unlovable parts. Forgiving, renewing and leading us so that we may delight in God’s will and walk in God’s ways.

Justified by grace through faith. 

Are there times when you have have fallen and God has lifted you up?

When do you vividly remember receiving grace as a gift? 

Often it’s during Communion for me.  The words in the communion liturgy resonate deeply. We hear,  Not as we ought but as we are able.

A reminder that God is present in and through our broken humanity. Gathering us together as one body. Working through us that which the only the Holy Spirit can inspire.

We show up as we are able. Sometimes in an extraordinary capacity…running the hundred meter dash while finishing in the top three. Other times with a limp that changes how we run the race or if we even run at all. 

Jacob the wrestler.

Jacob: Wrestled with God through the night.

God: Let me go. The day has broken.

Jacob: Wrestles some more. I won’t let you go until you bless me. 

Jacob’s hip socket is hit. Jacob gets a limp.

God: You are blessed.

Jacob continues on. 

When world tells you that you are not worthy.  

Instead, hear God’s YES.

YES, YES, YES.    (Say it with me)   Yes, yes, yes.

Yes, you are forgiven and forgiving.

Yes, you are being renewed and renewing.

Yes, you are being led and leading others to grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ.

Get up and with a limp like Jacob to continue the race.  

Yesterday…

Here’s the thing, it’s the most remade songs of all times. Over 2000 artists have sung it and had a go at it. 

Same song. Different voices. Different times. Fresh take.  

On a lighter note, I’ve adapted the words for you to remind you of God’s YES and grace today in the midst of the challenges.

“Yesterday / Grace Today"

Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away.

Now it looks as though they're here to stay.

Oh, I believe in grace today.

Suddenly, I'm not half the disciple I used to be.

There's the shadow of the cross hanging over me.

But, grace and new life came suddenly.

Why he had to go?

I don't know, but he tried to say.

I said something wrong.

Now I long for grace today.

Yesterday love was such an easy game to play.

Now I need a place to hide away.

Oh, I believe in grace today.

Why he had to go?

I don't know, but he tried to say.

I said something wrong.

Now I long for grace today.