A Year of Sundays: Week 7

 Sunday 7: The Baptism of Our Lord

As I write this today, on the fifth night of fire watch, there are so many things I am feeling. Helpless. Restless. Sad. Angry. Confused. Impatient. But my goal with my Sunday posts is not to focus on my feelings, but to focus on the bigger picture.

It’s not hard for me to admit that I have a pretty dark sense of humor. Because our church follows the liturgical calendar, elements of our service are decided well before a Sunday morning. The Scripture passages that are read are not selected by us, nor are they determined by the events surrounding us. Our organist selects our hymns based on the Scripture we read. Today was a moment of (dark) comic relief to my unsettled heart.

On the first Sunday after Epiphany, known as the Baptism of Our Lord, we read:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... (Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV)

We sang a song after song about the fire of God and the wind of His Spirit moving. Had I not known how these selections were made it might have felt like we were being a little too on the nose. Instead, I understand that fire, wind, and even water are all things that God uses to teach us about him.

Fire destroys, yes, but it also warns.

Wind knocks over, but it also clears.

Water drowns, but it also cleanses.

On a Sunday when destruction and death seem to be raging through our county, we focus on the baptism of my Lord. I choose to die to self and live in God (see Romans 6:1-11). I don’t mean this in a flippant or careless way. Instead, I choose, even today, in a very difficult situation to affirm this truth. God is with me in the fire.