Second Sunday "Get up and Walk"

'Surprised!' by Henri Rousseau -National Gallery, London

He said that he would prefer not to know the source of the Nile, and that there should be some unknown regions preserved as hunting-grounds  for the poetic imagination.  

G. Eliot - Middlemarch.

Perhaps it is easier not to know some things.  But somethings are to be known, like your name, and your parentage.  Not knowing is foolishness.  And by the way, why not know?  What's the problem?  

Paul's letter to the Roman's Chapter Nine

With Jesus as my witness, I earnestly desire every word I write to be true. I am deeply grieved that so few of people within my own community accept Jesus. I would willingly undergo any torture if this would make a difference. These are the people who have been privileged to hear the message spelt out to them across the ages. They have had a box seat. The Creator has honoured this special relationship, Which has been a great blessing for which we are thankful, So has the Creator failed to deliver on promises to my people? No, indeed, for membership of the community is not to be taken for granted. An example of this was when Isaac, the great father of the nation, had two sons. Convention was flouted, because the younger son picked up the mantel of leadership, not the elder son.  The Creator knew in advance who was open to the way, and who not. Another example was when the king of Egypt was harsh on my people. The Creator knew that this would bring about the wonderful purpose in store. The hard heart of the king was part of the chain of events leading the birth of Jesus. Is it fair that some people are open and therefore chosen, some closed and miss out? We are all different, but originally made from the same clay. The Creator who knows our desires and actions even before we do, And all eventualities are used to bring about this story of redemption. The Creator shows equal mercy, justice and compassion to all people across time. Those with an open heart find the path of restitution and forgiveness. As has been said by wise people of old, "People from outside our community are called." And also, "You who are not from our culture, are called to become children of the Creator." And for people born into my culture it is said, "The same rules apply to all equally. Don't think that you will get away with evil just because of your birth." This is the paradox. "The people who have no idea about the Creator's great plan are drawn in and transformed. The people on the inside, given special privileges, miss the point, tying themselves up in knots of confusion." Also we know the saying, "There will be a stone place in the centre of Jerusalem. To some it will become their foundation stone. For others they will crash into it and fall. Those who put their trust in Jesus will stand firm."

PRAYER: All you have given me provides me with the courage I need to live to the full.