Friday, May 4, 2018

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.’ 

Anxiety’s gift

A very good man is in surgery as I write today. I know ... this happens every day. People get sick, physicians treat diseases and surgeons operate on people every single day, and the outcome is never a sure thing. That’s life.

But today it is someone I know, respect and love. I am one of many who fall into that category, and we all want the same thing for him, healing, restoration and hope for a tomorrow that is filled with the joy of family, faith and friends.

The anxiety of surgery awakens awareness that life is uncertain, unpredictable and, well, you just never know what can happen or how long it will be before the specter of disease or even sudden death will touch your family ... or you.

However anxious this day may be, this anxiety comes bearing a gift of depth and love. It awakens gratitude for God’s gift of life.

None of us calls ourselves into being. We are not the source of our existence. Life, breath, the simple reality of being is a mystery, a wonder given to us without our asking or doing anything to make it happen.

We are created, which means we are dependent upon the Source of Life, who ... we believe ... made us in the very image and likeness of God. And it is to this Loving Mystery that our hearts cry on days such as this.

We fly into the arms of God—our Maker, our sustainer, our hope—on the wings of our needs. So even on days like this, we thank you, O Lord, for you call us again to know you.

You made us for yourself. Sharing your image, our hearts find peace nowhere else ... but in you.

Pr. David L. Miller