Do You Have a Family Resemblance?
Good Morning Friends,
Yesterday I had lunch with a dear friend who told me of a conversation he had with his wife about helping his granddaughter to learn to drive. It was all about patience and also helping another to learn about blind spots. Today as we contemplate the imprint that Christ has made in our lives, it would be well to realize we all have blind spots and that sometimes they are revealed in our the intimate relationships of daily living as we pass on who we are to others closest to us. We can see this imprinting process and a revealing of sorts in the lives of couples who have been together for many years and also in the lives of their children, even adopted children that take on the mannerisms of those they live with during their years of formation. But we also might just realize that there are some gaps in the image. So today we seek the light that is found in all that is good and right and true in Biblical stories about couples and their challenges to overcome their spiritual blind spots. In the reading we might just receive help to see a little bit better on the journey. Our meditation and study of these stories might just help us reflect the image of our Holy Father just a little bit better to our children. Do You Have a Family Resemblance?
Scripture: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be associated with them. For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light– for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-20 (NRSV)
9As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ 3Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. 4We* must work the works of him who sent me* while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ 6When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, 7saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. 8The neighbours and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ 9Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ 10But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ 11He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’
John 9:1-9:11 (NRSV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NRSV)
Message: I guess that is some ways I am beginning to look like my father and my son is beginning to look like me, but the process of the creation of this resemblance is not just a biological one. Our spirit and God’s Spirit is also at work making us more like Him…more like each other. Here we discover the wisdom in Christ as we expose the darkness and respond to the Spirit using the time we have in this life. There is no mistaking the family resemblance when we reflect the truth. There is no mistaking the effect of light on a place of darkness. Here in the light we learn to live in love as Christ loved. Here we become beloved children of God. Here we grow as couples for Christ, coupled in the Spirit and focused on passing on to the next generation what it means to be in relationship with God’s plan. Turn to scripture and learn. In the story of Adam and Eve we realize how sin distorts the plan for ideal companions. In the story of Abraham and Sarah we learn about waiting together to resolve conflict while cultivating patience. In the story of Isaac and Rebekah we see how God brings people together and affirms partnerships. In the story of Jacob and Rachel we see how love endures in spite of mistakes. In the story of Boaz and Ruth we see how God rewards faithfulness. The story of Elkanah and Hannah teaches us how couples can help each other to deal with disappointment by looking to God. David and Abigail have a story about when one should intervene in someone else’s life and the wisdom we can hear through another’s voice. Hosea and Gomer takes us to the edge of what it means to love unconditionally and to forgive one another without holding back. And the story of King Xerxes and Esther teaches us the risks and rewards as well as the power of courageous influence on those closest to us. Pick one of the stories that the Spirit connects with your life and share it with your spouse and children. Most of us have blind spots, presumptions, ideas and perceptions that we do not even think about changing. These blind spots are major roadblocks in our spiritual journey. Perhaps God has given us family so we might learn about the gaps in our vision that need to be filled with faith and love and light. Perhaps in this way of living in the Word the image of God and the image of Christ will be more clearly reflected in our relationships.
Pray we find more time to be with Jesus and family. Pray we make the most of opportunities that come our way to become more holy as we overcome our blind spots. Pray we understand what the Lord’s will is for couples. Pray we are filled with the Spirit of light and love. Pray we live and reflect an abundant and fruitful life. Pray we become more Christ like…shinning His light into a world. Pray God the Father and Christ the Son are reflected in our lives through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pray that others would recognize the family resemblance.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 