The next sections of Jesus’ discipleship training talk (Luke12:32-40) deal with being ready for God to show up. We often assume this means the final, apocalyptic “God showing up” at the end of time – because the church has been overly preoccupied with “then” and “later” in interpreting Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom. That emphasis can cause us to miss the present, “here” and “now” activity of God.
Jesus tells us God has drawn near to us “here” and “now.” There is an immediacy to his teaching: "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks."
This language, archaic as it is, presupposes a master/servant relationship. Yes, we are children of God – beloved, inheriting, gifted children of God. And Jesus suggests we are also servants of God, waiting for our master to come home from the party, ready to serve in whatever way is needed. Jesus invites us to live expecting that God will show up at any moment – and, indeed, God does. As we tune our spiritual senses, we start to perceive that action of God around us more and more.
Being dressed for action means being spiritually prepared, tuned and toned – no sweat pants for us!
Having our lamps lit is a metaphor for being spiritually ready, wicks trimmed, ready to be lit up, to shine a light into the shadow places we encounter. (Suddenly I’m getting a picture of the Holy Spirit as Tinkerbell, flitting around, lighting us up – and if we believe, we hear the little bell. But it’s been awhile since I saw Peter Pan...)
The Holy Spirit is not a fairy, of course. The Holy Spirit is the power and passion and peace and presence of God made known in our bodies, minds and spirits, and in our world. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Father and the Son, is HOW God shows up in our lives.
So today, let’s choose our action wardrobe. First, what do we un-choose?
What are the factors in your life that keep your focus away from God and what God is up to?
Busyness? Stress? Complacency? Numbness? Associate each “distraction” with an item of clothing you do not associate with action. Want to tuck those away in closet? Or toss em?
Now, what does being dressed for action, spiritually, look like?
Connected in prayer? Grateful? Aware of what people around you are feeling? Of joys and hurts in the world? Aware of your gifts and open to being used by God – open to being lit up to shine God’s light? Paul writes, "As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
If you feel like imagining your list as action clothes, imagine putting them on.
Play “dress up” in your mind. Prayer can be playful.
We don’t have to generate the action – we’re just asked to be ready to participate in it.
You ready for where God is going to show up today? I want to hear about it.
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