based on Exodus 19 & 20, Psalm 19 & other psalms
Freed from the bondage of their past, the Hebrew people set out into the wilderness, the unknown, into the future, headed toward the promise of the place of life. Too much freedom without boundaries, however, results in chaos. A road map is necessary to find the way to be people called of God. Yahweh, God of the Covenant comes again, to Moses and the wandering children of Israel, to establish “a way” for life, a guide for faithful living in relationship both with God and with one another. The Torah, which means “fence”, often referred to as the Law of God, was established to set boundary lines, markers, perimeters, guidelines. Inside the boundary, or fence, is total freedom and security. Crossing the boundaries, or disregard for the guide for faithful living, would create a breach in faithful relationships and cause insecurity.
We all need boundaries, guides to help us find our way in life and in relationships, and into the wilderness of life. Jesus reminded his followers that we are to love God with our whole self, body, mind, and spirit, and love our neighbors even as we love ourselves. In a word, love. Love is the over arching boundary for life. How can we love God and our neighbors? The 10 Commandments were a start for the newly freed community of God. As God’s treasured possession, a priestly kingdom, a holy nation, God calls us to life, guides us in a holy way, and promises again to be our God remaining faithfully present with us.
Guiding God,
come again to guide us in
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| photo - Hannah Bush |
and lead us to life.
Freed from what lies behind
with little clear pathway
in the wildness of life
that lies before us,
we need you to lead us, O God.
Set clear paths before us,
may your words of wisdom be
light to our feet in the ways of shalom,
Keep our steps steady according
to your promise.
In boundary-less places
set the markers, fence lines,
the safe enclosures
to help define the way.
Like a shepherd lead us, guide us
along the way.
Like a seamstress hem us in
behind and before,
lay your hand upon us
so we are not frazzled or frayed
in life’s journey.
Guiding God,
come again to guide us in
the wilderness before us
and lead us to life.
Your boundary lines for our
life with you and one another
fall in pleasant places.
It is nothing too harsh or heavy.
Your law for life, for love,
is sweeter than honey
and more desirable than pure gold.
Covenant Maker,
as you did with the earth and Noah,
with Abram and Sarai,
with Moses and all the Hebrew people,
so also with us
you set your promise before us
to be our God, to lead us toward life.
You invite us to choose to follow
in your way of righteousness,
peace, and hope.
Help us to hear, to trust and to choose
to follow your instructions so we might
live faithfully as your people.
As your treasured possession
help us to choose life,
to step in faith with you
called to be your
covenant community of grace.
Guiding God,
come again to guide us in
the wilderness before us
and lead us to life. Amen.
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