June 21st - Reflection

Job 39:13-25 (NRSV)
Creation story from Job "The ostrich's wings flap wildly,
though its pinions lack plumage.
For it leaves its eggs to the earth,
and lets them be warmed on the ground,
forgetting that a foot may crush them,
and that a wild animal may trample them.
It deals cruelly with its young, as if they were not its own;
though its labor should be in vain, yet it has no fear;
because God has made it forget wisdom,
and given it no share in understanding.

When it spreads its plumes aloft,
it laughs at the horse and its rider.


"Do you give the horse its might?
Do you clothe its neck with mane?
Do you make it leap like the locust?
Its majestic snorting is terrible.
It paws violently, exults mightily;
it goes out to meet the weapons.
It laughs at fear, and is not dismayed;
it does not turn back from the sword.
Upon it rattle the quiver,
the flashing spear, and the javelin.
With fierceness and rage it swallows the ground;
it cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.
When the trumpet sounds, it says 'Aha!'
From a distance it smells the battle,
the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.


Reflection
Sometimes what appears to be real isn't.

I heard this very same expression from one of my fellow workers this past week or so. And it applies to the ostrich and the horse. The ostrich appears to be a rather foolish bird. Sometimes the ostrich wanders away from her eggs and can't find her way back. She appears to be neglectful but is really forgetful.

And then other times some eggs are laid outside of the nest. This may be by accident, but it could be by design. Those eggs are typically used for food for the newly hatched chicks. The broken pieces of egg shell appears be an example of the ostrich's neglectfulness, but are really her loving care.

To say the ostrich has no care suggests she is foolish. But here, we can see that the ostrich may be following an act of God in love and care.

The horse is truly a powerful animal. The quivering mane can be seen and compared to thunder. The horse is fearless in the charge of battle. Contrast the horse and it's power to the foolishness of the ostrich who has no fear. Sometimes it seems the spreading of the mighty wings may just be enough to ward off the enemy.

Sometimes what appears to be real isn't.

And so with you and I also. What may appear weak, such as the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus, in reality is awesome strength of the resurrection and ascension. What may appear foolish, such as tongues of fire, and apparent drunkenness, is the mighty Spirit of God descending on his people. What looks like nonsense, like the feeding of thousands with a little bread and fish, becomes the feeding of the world through the communion of the bread and the wine, the body and the blood. All gracious, loving, powerful acts of God. Wondrous in every respect.

Sometimes what appears to be real isn't. And likewise what doesn't appear to be real is. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, you never cease to amaze me! Wonderful, loving Savior! --- Amen