Dave Dishman

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Anyone who hazards devotion to God eventually repeats this plea for themselves. God, where are you? Why have you left me alone?

God disappears at times. Or at least it feels that way. The death of a teenager, a random act of violence, a cancer diagnosis for a young mother, all land like an anvil dropped from above. Oddly, I’m encouraged to discover King David asking this question. Described as a man after God’s own heart, one who communed intimately with the Lord, he still lost touch in his pain and confusion.

I don’t find easy answers to this disturbing question. I don’t know why God goes silent. Maybe it’s a test of faith, or perhaps sitting in our pain helps us to emphasize with the pain of others? Certainly seeking the Lord when we’re all alone deepens our dependence on him. Regardless, I struggle.

David delivered hope when he later wrote: I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

In the dark times the best I can do is hold on. Cling to faith and wait for the Lord. His goodness will reappear, slowly yet steadily, like a sunrise burning the mists away from the valley of despair. Forsaken yes, but never without hope.

Psalm 22:1; Psalm 27:13 & 14

Photo by Pavel Moiseev

I notice a lot of signage (mostly around coffee shops) encouraging me to be kind. It’s nice gesture, and I need a jolt of caffeine in the morning before I can consider the feelings of others. As the original source for those Be Kind posters, the Scriptures are filled with encouragements to care.

Jesus laid a provocative discourse before his disciples prior to his death. He described his final return—glorious, powerful and surrounded by angels. Seated on a throne, Jesus will judge every person from every nation, separating the sheep from the goats. The righteous (sheep) inherit the kingdom of God, while the wicked (goats) slide to eternal punishment. Notice the criteria Jesus uses to distinguish the two groups:

“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

The primary attributes fencing sheep from goats revolve around how we treat other people. It’s not rocket science—feed those the hungry, give a cold drink to the thirsty, welcome a stranger, take care of the sick. Maybe visiting prisons is a stretch today, but Jesus speaks of everyday considerations, of noticing the people around you and stepping toward them. Faith in Jesus always manifests itself in kindness towards others.

I’m reminded of this quote from Middlemarch, a book by George Eliot: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.

Simple kindnesses produce good in this world. I move closer to the kingdom of God when I ask a checker at the supermarket how their day is going, or when I offer water to the young men trimming my trees. I welcome a stranger when I say, I’m glad you’re here, to an international student or professor I meet on campus.

Kindness is underrated. Yet it’s something we can practice every day to make this world a better place, and ensure a spot with the sheep in the next.

Matthew 25:31-46

Photo by Randalyn Hill

Religion carries do’s and don’ts, like avoiding certain foods, or abstaining from alcohol, or giving a set amount of income. At times these serve as performative worship, showing God (and others) just how good we can be. Many religious leaders in Jerusalem participated heartily in such practices. Jesus, however, would have none of their disingenuous devotion.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

Those targeted by Jesus failed to comprehend the most important parts of the law. While good at giving the exact amount required, they missed out on justice, mercy and faithfulness, concepts central to the law of Moses. Wrongs getting righted, evil punished, innocent protected, help extended to the helpless—all decisive truths neglected in the pursuit of parsing spices.

Without canceling the tithing of their goods, Jesus pointed to a deeper way. The outward trappings of religion make for good theatre, but without the heart behind them it’s all for show. Let’s not lose sight of the weightier things in the midst of our religious activities.

Matthew 23:23

Photo by Anju Ravindranath

I delved into the world of online commerce this week. My wife and I are replacing an old sectional and chair. I listed the items on a local buy and sell site, because what better way to get rid of your unwanted furniture than to have someone hand you cash and then haul it away? The info went out in the afternoon and I heard from several interested people by the next morning.

Online selling opens to door to a huge audience, thousands of people in the North Denver area alone. It’s easy to share photos and videos, and even read reviews on the buyers (no one wants a scammer showing up at their door). It’s a nice way to connect with a person looking for a cheap couch.

I’m reminded of the story Jesus told about hidden treasure: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Along with furniture, folks search online listings and garage sales and estate auctions looking for hidden treasure. The thrill is in the hunt, and the persistent occasionally discover something wonderful.

Yet how much more wonderful is the kingdom of heaven! Discoverable, waiting to be found, this marvelous treasure is ours if we decide to go looking. The joy of the find will outmatch any we ever experience. Don’t hesitate, it’s time to start the search.

Matthew 13:44