Nougat 1

Hi

It’s Monday August 1 – Swiss Day across the cantons and Emancipation Day in the British Caribbean. Amidst the backdrop of freedom and celebrations, is the hope of today’s Holy Nougat

“The Lord says, ‘They went away from me, but I will forgive them for that. I will love them very much. I am not angry with them now.” ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭14:4‬ ‭EASY‬‬

There’s a wise saying somewhere: ’If you love them let them go; if they love you, then they will come back to you’. Seems God wrote the memo. Which for us, is a good thing. Because, rather than punish you and me, God’s chosen to forgive us when we stray. But, it’s not a love to be taken for granted, as we recognize that our God, the Lover of our souls was not always happy with spiritual infidelity.

So what then is spiritual infidelity? Is it a thing? Unfortunately yes.

We could begin with Adam and Eve, and their aberration from God’s plan; but I think it’s worth the while to start with God’s reasoning: “‘I am the Lord your God. I brought you out of Egypt, the country where you were slaves. You must not have any other gods except me.” ‭‭(see Exodus‬ ‭20:2-3‬)‬‬. Now, we might be inclined to argue – and rightly so – that we were not literally in Egypt back in those days so it doesn’t apply. But what if Egypt represents a season of impotence that left us even questioning our relationship and relevance to God? (Remember, impotent means without power.) This could then expand our Egypt to points of addiction, grief, pain, jealousy, etc., that serves to wrest us from God’s love. Placed in that context, I dare suggest that many of us have been to Egypt.

The Parables of the Lost provide some perspective. Luke sets the stage with the following introit: “One day, many bad people and men who took taxes on behalf of the government were coming round Jesus. They all wanted to hear what Jesus was saying.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:1‬ ‭Those tax collectors and miscreants were still in bondage. Jesus made room for them and the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law (and you and me also). But, this displeased the Pharisees who were challenged by the notion of God’s grace. Jesus’ response – with the parables of the Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son – aptly brought the point home.

My siblings in Christ – we’re all lost. And the Shepherd, the Housewife, and Father all represent our Triune God Who’s brought us out of Egypt. Moreover, each time we give greater value to other things and people than to God we are guilty of spiritual infidelity. Additionally, when we seek to diminish another, attempting to deny them access to God’s grace, we are just as guilty of spiritual infidelity.

Hosea, who lived through the multiple heartbreak of marital infidelity, helps us understand that nothing separates us from God’s compassion and loving kindness! Unless we – like Gomer, like the Lost Sheep, like the Lost Coin, like those Lost Sons – choose to walk away. And even then, God’s Love gives and forgives. Every

Single

Time

That’s what the Cross does! Regardless of who we are, or our circumstances; God’s Love has room enough for us. Is it time to celebrate freedom as we make our way back home?

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May all we seek be found in Christ