Made for God - March 23
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 119:97-120; PM Psalm 81, 82; Gen. 45:16-28; 1 Cor. 8:1-13; Mark 6:13-29
Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are many gods and many lords—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. (1 Cor. 8:5-6)
Reading this eighth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, I was struck by these verses right in the middle of an exploration of what the eating habits of a first century Christian might look like. The apostle Paul helps those in Corinth connect their beliefs in the teachings and ministry of Jesus to life in community with others. While this letter gives meaningful guidance to the people two thousand years ago, it also imparts theological statements that continue to define Christianity today.
There must have been questions about whether it was acceptable to eat food others have prepared in sacrifice to idols, perhaps upon the great Green Egg of Bacchus. Paul welcomes the query, reaffirming the monotheistic foundation of following God, “we know that ‘no idol in the world really exists’, and that ‘there is no God but one’.”
He does something interesting in the next words: he concedes that there could be other gods in the world. Paul allows that there are many lords and leaders who would try to guide and govern our lives. How wise, considering those to whom he is writing are in Greece, where the cultural rhythms include honoring the gods and retelling the myths of the deities upon the mountain. Paul does not argue and dispute. Instead, he opens his mind widely in welcome and chooses to say this next: the existence of those other divine entities does not matter. Here is what does matter: for us there is one God. For us there is one Creator. In our hearts, we will follow God.
Paul takes it one step further, laying out what Christians believe about God by expressing who God is: God is the Father from whom all things are…and for God all things came to be. It is for God that we exist.
Let that sit with you…as I am sitting with it, too. The preposition “for” sticks with me…it is for God that we exist. How does that shift the perception of what is important for each of us today? How can that tiny, huge statement serve as the lens to realign or refocus our eyes upon the God-space of existence?
But wait, Paul has more. If you keep reading now, your mind and heart will be doubly stretched…with no extra shipping and handling fees.
Paul says, while there is one God the Father, also there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. It is this Lord and King who governs our lives, not an emperor or governor or worldly leader. Jesus is the channel…through Jesus all things are. This language ties Jesus as a person of the Trinity from before creation, though he was born and present as a human later. Furthermore, Paul writes that it is through Jesus that we exist. It is through the Son that we see the path more clearly that God has called us to.
We are created by God and for God. All creation came through the channel of Jesus. I imagine a ten-year-old Jesus alongside God the Father, walking the rows of a creation warehouse…and Jesus holds out his hand to brush just a touch of each item he walks past. Maybe that is a little bit of what a blessing is…to feel just the lightest touch of the Divine.
I pray that today you are grounded in who you are and whose you are, as you are made for God. Let that knowledge lift your eyes to welcome those in need around you. May God’s grace fill and overwhelm you, for you are wonderfully and beautifully made.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
For whom are you doing things today? To whom do you belong?
Daily Challenge
Reflect on this sentence: "It is for God that I exist."
What comes up for you? Spend a few minutes journaling. Pay attention to feelings and images that arise.