“Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; love and truth go before your face.”

Psalm 89 begins by naming the promises made to David and his line. The glory, power, and honor bestowed upon David’s family is served up as a reminder to God of what He said he would do. Later in the psalm, the lament starts. Questions of why God has abandoned His people; answers that have not come to pass. Keeping in mind that this psalm was written during the Babylonian exile, the reader must understand the plight of the writer.

They are separated. Their kingdom is broken. Their hearts are, too.

The people living in that time of desolation and hopelessness didn’t know what to do. They asked the question that remains on the lips of anyone who struggles, even today. I have struggled. I do struggle. I will struggle. But that is not my life’s story. When I open my eyes and see God in my turmoil, I am rewarded with memories of when He carried (carries) me. But the opening of those stubborn eyes is the issue. When years go by in darkness, it is difficult to see—much less remember—the light.

I must remember that I am a faithful servant of God. I am called by name to be a specific person in His kingdom. You are, too. Each of us has a part to play in the great acts God commissions; it is our choice to accept those or to turn a blind eye and lament. Sometimes we will succeed. Others? We will need each other to serve as guideposts, as lanterns to light the way. But we must remember the ongoing and never-changing nature of God: Love.

God is always with us. Always. God’s truth is hard to hear at some points; at others, it is music to weary ears. My hope for us is that we have ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to share. Without us, the body of Christ doesn’t operate in this world. We are His children, His legacy, and His new creations. Let love and truth escape our lips before vitriol and pride. My prayer is for humility. To see the good in others before lamenting their evil ways. Or at least to pray for them in earnest without anger.

It is an ongoing process and I fail sometimes. I know some of you feel the same. Do not forget that we have one another. That we are marked by Christ our Lord and sealed by the Holy Spirit, forever. Forever. The only way out is through, my friends. Let us each offer hands that reach out and pull one another through…let us reach out when we need the guide.

Faithfully,

Fr. Sean+