Take Two!
By Gary Piper of Fort Gratiot, MI, USA
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28–30 NRSV
Recently I watched a 1956 black-and-white movie titled Earth vs. the Flying Saucers. (Wow—the special effects of yesterday!) It was a typical science fiction movie in which aliens from outer space threatened to destroy all human life on Earth. Spoiler alert—they were unsuccessful.
Near the end of the movie, a voice suddenly broke across a loud speaker. “Attention, people of Earth. Attention, people of Earth. This is a voice coming to you from thousands of miles beyond your planet. Look to your sun for a warning! Look to your sun for a warning!” According to the movie script, the voice repeated the message in every language for 12 hours across the entire Earth.
As I watched and listened, I couldn’t help but think of a different voice with an alternate message. “Attention, people of Earth. Attention, people of Earth. This is a voice coming to you from beyond time and space. Look to the SON for a message! Look to the SON for a message!”
The voice I imagined, of course, was God’s voice and the message of the SON scripted to our special circumstances. God always touches us at the point of our deepest need.
It would be nearly impossible for us to list all the needs that exist in our lives. To be honest, many times I put my wants on my needs list. But despite all, I don’t know about all the needs of my life. I do know I need the SON. I know I need deliberately and continuously to “look to the SON for a message!”
Prayer for Peace
Director of the Universe, of all the voices we hear each day, may we turn to you—first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. Here we will find and fulfill our role in your vision for peace.
Spiritual Practice: Voices of God
What is the voice of God saying to us? Do we hear the whispers of God’s longing for shalom, God’s dream of beauty and wholeness for all creation? Do we hear the “voice” of God calling to us in faces and eyes, sounds of suffering and joy, scripture and sacred word, tears and laughter, silence and noise? Spend a few moments reflecting on when and how God’s voice speaks to you. When did you first feel called to join God in the pursuit of peace and justice? How does the call of shalom continue to come to you through the many “voices” of God?
Peace Covenant
Today, God, I will rehearse until I get it right.
