Unlimited

Today's readings: Ps 1, 2, 3; Mic 7:1-7; Acts 26:1-23; Luke 8:26-39

A couple days ago we read about the disciples’ reaction to Jesus calming a storm. Today we read about his healing of a man long possessed by demons. One element these stories have in common is how some of the people who witness the events react: fearfully. Even thought Jesus saves them from physical and spiritual danger, their fear eclipses their gratitude.

What exactly did the people fear? They feared an unpredictable God, or more specifically a Jesus who served an unpredictable God. We might consider them in a patronizing fashion, but we shouldn’t be too quick to decide we are somehow wiser. What kind of messiah—what kind of God—do we think we have? We like the Jesus who eats with sinners and raises the dead, but what do we think of the Jesus who drives evil spirits out of a person and into a herd of swine who respond by killing themselves? However we interpret this story, we must grapple with a Jesus—with a God—who operates beyond our understanding. Even when we accept that discipleship has its demands, we like to think we know what those demands will be. We are more comfortable with a God we can define, even subconsciously, than a God we can’t tame to stay within the bounds of human expectations. For if we can’t set expectations on God, we can’t anticipate what expectations God might have of us!

Like the Gerasenes, we may retreat when we realize the “easy” parts of relationship with Christ are part of a larger package, a package we can’t wrap our arms or brains around. When we think of holy or righteous lives, we tend to think of them as peaceful and orderly. An exception may be the missionary who finds herself in dangerous and unknown territory, but we think of her as just that—an exception. The truth is, when we enter fully into relationship with Christ and God, our experience of God is mysterious and wild. Our hearts are at peace, but our lives are one surprise and risk after another. This may seem contradictory, but that’s part of the mystery.

Comfort: Releasing ourselves from the need to limit God frees God to remove the limits from our lives.

Challenge: Each day this week, write down one thing (news item, scripture passage, etc.) that confuses you about the nature of God. Afterward, thank God for not requiring you to understand.

Prayer: God of Mystery, thank you for not meeting my expectations.

Evening reading: Ps 4, 7