Reflection for Saturday, Feb 16, 2008

ROMANS 4: 13-25

"Grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone [are] principles of understanding which continue to guide and motivate the people of God in the life of faith." That comes from our Book of Order (G-2.0400), part of the Constitution of our Church. And in this part of Romans, we are in the thick of Paul's clear reasoning for these "Protestant watchwords."

What catches my eye in these few verses is: "He [Abraham] grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God." It's sometimes hard for us to understand what it means to "give glory to God." It can sound so ancient or fanatical or seem like God is someone with a big ego who needs to be flattered all the time.

God doesn't need us to give God glory.

God doesn't need us to pray.

God doesn't need us to worship or go to church.

We don't do these things FOR God. We do them for US.

When we praise God (give God glory), what we are really doing is reminding ourselves of the most important things: we are deeply loved; we are loved unconditionally; no matter how bad things get or whatever bad things we may do, God loves us still. And there's more...we remember how beautiful Creation is -- the trees, the animals, people; we remember that people try their best, even though they may come up short; we remember that we are part of a community of people all over the world, people we don't even know, people we love who have died, and people we have yet to meet.

When I remember these things, I feel stronger. I feel better. I feel hopeful.

When you read this, take 30 seconds (or an hour) and remember.

By Paul Mowry