The level of anxiety is increasing here in the United States as our too-close-for-comfort presidential election is less than two weeks in the future. Uncertainty is like a rising — and maybe flooding — tide.
People are exhausted and afraid.
I preached this sermon, “The Wonder Cure,” last Sunday at The Fountains United Methodist Church in Fountain Hills, Arizona. A version of it was sent out as a musing last weekend. But here’s the preached version — it is somewhat different and full of emotion.
I hope you’ll listen to it. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it will help. I truly believe that.
May we trust in wonder. And look to the stars.
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THE READINGS
Psalm 104:1-9, 25, 37b
Book of Common Prayer version
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!
you are clothed with majesty and splendor.
You wrap yourself with light as with a cloak
and spread out the heavens like a curtain.
You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above;
you make the clouds your chariot;
you ride on the wings of the wind.
You make the winds your messengers
and flames of fire your servants.
You have set the earth upon its foundations,
so that it never shall move at any time.
You covered it with the Deep as with a mantle;
the waters stood higher than the mountains.
At your rebuke they fled;
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.
They went up into the hills and down to the valleys beneath,
to the places you had appointed for them.
You set the limits that they should not pass;
they shall not again cover the earth.
O Lord, how manifold are your works!
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
Hallelujah!
Please share this post and the recorded sermon with others. I’m grateful to have these words shared far and wide!
Job 38:1-7
The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Gird up your loins like a man,
I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone
when the morning stars sang together
and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
Awareness of the divine begins with wonder.
— Abraham Heschel
I think that every discovery of the world plunges us into jubilation,
a radical amazement that tears apart the veil of triviality.
— Dorothee Soelle
The Wonder Cure