On Friday we visited our friend Ron. Three weeks ago Ron went to the bathroom in the middle of the night, passed out and fell down the stairs. Paramedics were called, and, following an ambulance ride and a trip to hospital, he learned that he’d broken his ankle.
He still has aches and pains, but with the help of a (very fashionable) surgical boot he’s hopeful that soon he’ll be back to work, driving again, and will make a full recovery.
On Saturday, at Men’s Shed, Robert was finishing the banjo that he’d made. It was an excellent piece of work. He explained to me the process and the details of construction. His significant skill and expertise were clearly evident.
He pointed out small mistakes that he’d made, insignificant imperfections that won’t affect the tone or playability of the banjo.
On Sunday (yesterday) at church we were thinking about Moses and the Exodus. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, forced to make straw bricks. This was not an accident that would heal or an insignificant mistake; this was permanent and painful. We thought how people today are slaves to anger, despair, addictions, lust, guilt, fear…
…The story continues with the Israelites leaving slavery in Egypt to enjoy freedom and journey to the Promised Land that their God had provided.
On Monday (today) I’m reflecting on conversations from yesterday… broken family relationships, workers let down by their employers, folks with complicated neurodiverse problems… I read more of the Moses story.
God promises that there is life beyond their slavery. He gives them hope:
‘I am the Lord… I will bring you out… I will free you… I will redeem you… I will take you… I will be your God… I will bring you… I will give it to you… I am the Lord.’
Somewhere in the accidents that will heal, the insignificant imperfections, the slavery to powerful forces, the problems out of my control, there is a personal, present God who brings hope.
malcolmsmusings.org 