Shocking contrasts.  Ephesians 2.1-7

Shocking.  The stark contrast at the Boston Marathon finish line is nothing less than shocking.  Exhilarated runners had ‘broken the tape,’ enjoying the elation of finishing, and finishing well.  Soon on their heels were deafening blasts that split the sky, and the very souls of men, as evil exploded into the beautiful day.  Exhilaration, fairness and beauty  vs.  terror, destruction and death. 

The “back story” is now coming out, as it is meant to, and usually does.  The older brother had been caught up by evil and hatred, schooled in its thoughts and methods, and drew his younger brother into his sick mindset. 

In the matter of good vs. evil, all of us have within us the ability to go one direction or the other.  I am in a business (full-time ministry) that affords me the opportunity to hear a lot of people’s stories, including their back stories … what came before, what shaped them—whether positively or negatively.  This past weekend, I conducted a women’s retreat in the beautiful setting of Lake Arrowhead, California.    Since the best times in my childhood were spent around a Northern California lake, there is something that rings in my heart when I hear the water lap against the shore … when I see schools of ducks, heads of emerald green and dappled greys … when I hear an early morning motorboat cut across smooth waters, the best waterskiing of the day.

But this time, I was with my favorite women in the world, Women of Passion, who were desiring to meet God in a fresh way.  For me, crafting the worship, teaching and sharing sessions in tandem with the Holy Spirit, is a fascinating delight.  You know, the writer of the Song of Solomon invited his lover to ‘come away with him’ … God invites all of us to come away with him, in order to be renewed, refreshed, softened, challenged and reset; spiritual retreats afford us this unique opportunity.  Sometimes when people tell their back-story, it shows them (and others) how they got where they are, and where they ought to let God heal past hurts, break away shame, or straighten out errant thinking.  That happened this last weekend . . .

All of us have within our spiritual beings the propensity for both good and evil. 

We have been created in the image of God, meant for life and love, goodness and creativity, but born into a sinful existence we shall have to renounce, in order to be who God intended.  Consider Paul’s thoughts at the start of Ephesians chapter two on this matter:  At one time you were like a dead person because of the things you did wrong and your offenses against God. You used to act like most people in our world do. You followed the rule of a destructive spiritual power. This is the spirit of disobedience to God’s will that is now at work in persons whose lives are characterized by disobedience. At one time you were like those persons. All of you used to do whatever felt good and whatever you thought you wanted so that you were children headed for punishment just like everyone else.

However, God is rich in mercy. He brought us to life with Christ while we were dead as a result of those things that we did wrong. He did this because of the great love that he has for us. You are saved by God’s grace! And God raised us up and seated us in the heavens with Christ Jesus. God did this to show future generations the greatness of his grace by the goodness that God has shown us in Christ Jesus.  vs. 1-7

Amen!  Oh, and I am not suggesting all of us have the bent to kill or mame or the like, but rather to place ourselves at the center of the universe, orchestrating all else around our wants and needs, because we are gripped by human pride.  On the other hand, when transformed by the goodness of God, we are destined for greatness in him—the same kind of greatness that led to countless acts of selflessness at the same Boston finish line scene of destruction.  Contrast the heroism of Carlos Arredondo (the guy with the hat) who was at the race to support the cause of fallen veterans, having lost one son in the war himself … and the young Dr. Natalie Stavas who ran into the fray to perform CPR, minister medical attention and compassion.  There were policemen … race officials and many others who heroically gave of themselves. 

Contrasts.  Good vs. evil … no matter your back story, you can be radically changed by the grace of God.  I am praying that the younger brother will be.

Christine