Interpretation matters

God does not make sin nor does God cause sin to happen. God created the world and is still creating the whole universe good. God blesses it all, breathing life into the whole creation, so that life, abundant life, would grow exponentially-so that blessing would extend beyond anything we could ever imagine.

This is still God's way-God's modus operandi: To bless, to give life, that all of creation may experience blessing and thrive. To bring healing, wholeness and restoration. To bring truth, vulnerability and reconciliation. This is who God is. This is what God does. Sin is completely outside of who God is at the core.

Sin happens because there is brokenness in the world. We are caught up in it, like a fly in a sticky-web.

Some sin is direct and individual. Some sin is systemic and deeply entrenched in our society. Racism, greed, divisiveness-to name just a few.

Some ways of responding to sin are also harmful-full of retribution, blaming, false accusations, twisting truth, hatred and violence.

If God's ways are to bring healing and wholeness for all, we must look for the ways God is doing this right now. The stories of Jesus can help us here.

In Jesus, we see a different way of being in the world. We are given the tools for interpreting our world. Interpretation matters greatly.

In the stories of Jesus, we see how God works through the hearts and minds of those who will allow it. The transformation that comes enables and empowers lives, communities, nations and even the world to experience peace and deep joy. We can experience this too-but only if we allow our lens of interpretation to be shaped by the ways of God.

How we interpret the events and conditions of our lives matters. How we understand our relationships and interpret our social connections matters. With our interpretations and understandings, we establish ways of being in the world. We establish ways of viewing and considering life. Our values are fostered through the lens with which we understand and interpret the world around us. Any possibilities for life to develop, for hope to grow, for faith to deepen, are all dependent upon the way we interpret what happens to us, and to the world.

Right now, we are all experiencing a shared struggle: COVID-19, job loss, businesses threatened, divisiveness, hostility, violence, fear, anxiety. We are not alone in what we're going through. However, the way we understand and interpret what's happening will make all the difference. How will we interpret these difficult moments?

Interpretation matters. If we seek to follow God's ways of healing and wholeness demonstrated in the life of Jesus, we need to allow our interpretive lens to be shaped by the Divine Heart. God is up to something.

The Divine Heart of God desires to give life, that all of creation may heal and thrive. How will we join God to live out this message of healing and blessing today?