Tag Archives: Isaiah 56

Chapter-a-Day

Inclusive Thinking Among Exclusive Thinkers

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…for my house will be called
    a house of prayer for all nations.”
Isaiah 56:7c (NIV)

I was raised spiritually among various “holy huddles” of Jesus followers who were proud of their correct doctrinal interpretation of the scriptures. I remember one professor at Bible college who proudly showed us a video-taped debate of him arguing with a scholar of another denomination. He almost cackled with glee as watched himself intellectually corner and badger the poor old man until it seemed like his opponent was going to take a swing at him. I remember being amazed and appalled watching a teacher who said he loved God with all his heart taking joy in belittling and administering a intellectual beat down on another. Of course, my professor justified his actions because he had already excluded his opponent as a heretic who was going to hell. He simply took on the mantel of God’s theological inquisitor.

One of the things I love about Isaiah’s prophecies, the thing that is often overlooked by many in my holy huddles, is how incredibly inclusive it is. Over and over again Isaiah speaks of all nations experiencing salvation and those who are marginalized being graciously brought into the fold. In today’s chapter, that includes “foreigners” and “eunuchs” who were two constituencies excluded from worshipping in the temple. Isaiah promises them love, hope, and acceptance by God.

Today I’m thankful for the example Jesus continually showed in choosing, loving, and embracing those who were marginalized and excluded in this world. I’m inspired by the inclusive vision God shares through the prophet Isaiah. I am, once again, motivated to worry less about holy huddles of perfect doctrine and concern myself more with the simple law of Love Jesus gave us – the one He said summed everything up nicely.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Isaiah 56

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Good night, sleep tight. "God's Message: "Guard my common good: Do what's right and do it in the right way…." Isaiah 56:1 (MSG)

Along the journey, I've faced certain crossroads at which I had to make a difficult decision. Often, the decisions were difficult because the consequences of the choices I made would be relational and or financial and the impact of the decision would follow me one way or another.

Part of the decision making process for me has been to ask "What's the right thing to do?" With it, I tend to ask myself "What decision will allow me to sleep better at night?" There is something to be said for a clear conscience. To sleep peacefully at night knowing you've done things right and in the right way.

Looking back, I know that I haven't always made the best choices. But, as I progress in life's journey I like to think that my batting average has improved. I've learned that the choice which immediately satisfies my pride and hubris is usually the one that haunts me in the wee hours of the night. The choice that forces me to humbly submit, follow Jesus, and take the narrow, more difficult terrain (a.k.a. the high road) is ultimately the path which afffords me the best night's sleep.

Sleep tight.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and prisspetite

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Isaiah 55

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Myers-Briggs. "I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." Isaiah 55:8 (MSG)

A few years ago I asked my wife and children to to an exercise with me. All four of us to the Myers-Briggs personality type indicator test. We then spent a Saturday morning with my friend Matthew going over the results and talking about each of our personalities. It was a very revealing experience for me and, I hope, for the rest of the family.

One of the things that I discovered as part of this process was that some of my children's perceptions of me were a far cry from reality. Children view their parents with blinders. This is part of the natural mode of life, and you don't begin to see your parents in a different perspective until your own life experience broadens. Part of the takeway for me in the experience was coming to the realization that my children did not have a complete picture of who their father was, and is. I didn't think the way they think.

What a great lesson for me to turn and apply to my own relationship with Father God. As I continue in the journey and experience broadens my perspective, I'm afforded a greater perspective of who He was, and is, and is to come. Yet, I must humbly and continually acknowledge that God's thinking and workings are beyond anything I can possibly fathom.

Creative Commons photo courtesy of Flickr and hillaryandanna