Earth Maker

October 2009

Perhaps you will recall reading here last month about the spring floods that threatened communities in the Upper Midwest. Memories of past floods added to the sense of nature out of control and humankind at its mercy. For my community in Minnesota, the siege began in the ice and snow of a bit­ter winter and finally ended when grass had turned green and flowers and trees once again graced the landscape. The floods came and the floods went and it took a toll.

You may remember other challenges of the last year: an illness that has shaken your world, the death of someone you love, the loss of a job or changes in your work that you didn’t see coming, financial worries, a broken relationship. Perhaps, like me, you agonize over the church as we struggle to live into a new century. It may be your own congrega­tion that hiccups along in frustrating ways. It may be the larger church wend­ing its way through uncharted waters, trying to find new ways to speak God’s grace and hope in the 21st century.

Maybe you worry about your chil­dren or the economy or aging parents or the myriad challenges that are our com­mon lot as human beings.

My shoulders get tired carrying these things. Now in the midst of fall activities and the resuming of busy schedules, many of us are overwhelmed by too many com­mitments, too much busy-ness, too little time for reflection, silence, prayer, sitting quietly with one another, with ourselves, with God. Perhaps others among us have too much time, trying to adjust to retire­ment or another stage of life that presents new challenges and dilemmas.

The promises found in this month’s study of Romans 4 are mind-boggling— the assurance that obedience means liv­ing life trusting that God will bring to pass what God has promised. This God who gives life to the dead reminds us yet again that whatever the worry, whatever the reason we wake in the deep of night, God is there.

May this gracious God grant us peace to believe—even in the darkness of the night—that God will bring to pass what God has promised.

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever. Amen.*

Julie K. Aageson is coordinator of ELCA Resource Centers and director of the Resource Center for the Eastern North Dakota Synod.