Meditation from Jonah

Meditation from Jonah

You never know how thought or word,

action, random though it seemed,

within God's vast compendium

has weight and import.

For God-writ sparrow eulogies,

countless, pointless though they seem,

speak layers of the deepest clue:

“To Him we matter!”

So never think the stuff of life,

beasts and work and nature, too,

are “one with God” (the pantheist lie) –

Oh no – He owns them!

Instead believe with dancing joy,

thoughts and action, people, too;

like compass answer polar call,

fit His glad purpose.

What painful burden lays you low?

Joyless deeds that starve the soul?

Each, all of these and infinite more,

within His goodness --

Will show that He can take the ill,

good things, too – for all is His,

and make them serve Him flawlessly:

so trust Him always.

- - - - - - - -

Can you believe this is true in the failings of life? Painful shortcomings, lost opportunities, watching others excel through dint of diligence and hard work while one's lack prevails? Can God work even in this? Is there mercy and grace for the shortfalls we bring on ourselves?

What of those who suffer profoundly through no fault of their own? Is there grace for them? Is God working even in that and so should they trust Him?

I think the answer is yes, for if there is a God I see no other answer. Why does he allow suffering? I can only answer with Job and shut my mouth: I do not know. But I trust him not to test over-much.

Life is a grand testing in which we fail myriad ways. 

But He never gives up. 

Those who excel should inspire us. 

Those who fail should scare us, yes, but also engender appropriate pity and service. 

"Lord, grant humble gratitude before those who do well, 

tender care for those who fall short in the journey."