Notes from Pastor Marge
I was sitting in my office telling God of
my frustration over how I had been manipulated by someone I loved. I was demanding justice!
As I prayed, looking for direction, I remembered a friend suggesting the use of the Moravian Daily Text for guidance. I was getting nowhere sitting at my desk thinking of all the revenge-filled things I could do. So, I picked up the Daily Text and started reading using The Message which is a version of the Bible interpreted by Eugene Peterson.
The first reading that day, a portion of Psalm 119, was simple enough, “God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.” And I prayed for guidance.
The next reading was from Ezekiel. God is really mad at the Israelites and God is pouring out his anger, telling Ezekiel how he felt and what he was going to do to the Israelites because of how they disrespected God. I thought, “Right on, that’s how I feel. Let’s get ‘em”
I wasn’t prepared for what came next. God said to Ezekiel, “Then I thought better of it. I acted out of who I was, not by how I felt.” That is not what I wanted to hear. I wanted revenge, not mercy.
These words have become a mantra to me. Whenever I feel out of sorts and want to get back at someone or do something disrespectful I remember that I am a child of God and God said, “I acted out of who I was, not by how I felt.”