Just sit

Just sit there right now

Don’t do a thing

Just rest

 

For your separation from God

Is the hardest work in this world

          Hafiz (ala Landinsky) The Subject Tonight is Love

________________________

 

The morning sky

Filled with clouds and rain and sun

Shines with all the colors of the rainbow

 

God laughing

at our pitiful attempts

to light up the sky to celebrate

what?

 

Freedom?

Power?

Winning?

 

We try so hard

don’t we?

we shoot off rockets

drink our beer

fire up the BBQ

sing our patriotic songs

 

and are left only with empty souls

and terrorized dogs

 

We try so hard, we human creatures

doing the wrong things!

 

God must shake the divine head in bewilderment at

our denseness

 

we work to gain power

when we have been called to cede power

and become servants

 

we work so hard to control

when we have been told to set the prisoners free

 

we work so hard at hating

when we have been told to love

 

we work so hard at killing

when we have been told to turn our guns into garden tools

 

we work so hard at forcing people to

believe and act the way we want

when we have been told that people must freely choose

and only loving presence can truly transform

 

we work so hard at seeking advantage and privilege

when we have been told that we need to seek justice

 

we work so hard

at our separation from God

 

And so the divine, frustrated I am sure, says

“I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,

Even though you shoot fireworks into the sky

Even though you invoke my name

and wrap the cross in your flag

 

it will all be empty

 

Take away from me the noise of your songs;

I will not listen to your patriotic songs

Where you demand I bless you.  (apologies to Amos)

 

Instead, stop

Rest

Pray

Repent

Listen

Love

Accept

Welcome”

 

Resisting divine love is hard work

The hardest work in the world

 

Just sit there right now

Don’t do a thing

Just rest

 

And let God love you

Soak up forgiveness, compassion, generosity, acceptance

Look at the rainbow

And let all the colors of love fill your soul

 

And then do justice

and to live kindness

and walk humbly with God  (Micah)