A Lent Reflection for Monday, February 26 by Rev. Johnna Hayward Muniz
Lectionary reading for 2/26/2024: Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45; Genesis 21:1-7; Hebrews 1:8-12
Selected passage for reflection: Hebrews 1:8-12
Read
Hebrews 1:8-12 NIV
8 But about the Son he says,“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
10 He also says,“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Reflect
What does infinity look like? What's it like to look at the world from the beginning of time? I am someone who likes to pride myself for living in the present. I'm not very aware of daily or weekly rhythms, let alone yearly trends or what happens in various decades or centuries. History has not been my forte over the years and was my worst grade in school. But now that I am getting older and officially considered to be middle-aged, there is comfort in recognizing that God will last for ever and ever and that the Lord laid the foundations of the earth (see reading above). Images in this passage spring up from words like justice, righteousness, wickedness and joy. They provide a different and more powerful angle for me when I consider that God has the long view. Our God was there in the beginning and knows the end of the story. God is the Alpha and the Omega. The image in the second half, of the foundations of the earth and the heavens as a garment... a piece of clothing that our Creator can just "roll up like a robe".
I'm in a leadership class right now that has us look at our leadership failures over the years. Through that paper and other books we're reading, I have been confronting my codependency and my inability, at times, to differentiate myself from others. I have been reflecting on my anxiety and paying more attention to when I feel shame. I try to note it on paper when I feel shame in my chest or gut because I'm learning that shame seems to be one of the motors for my anxiety. Besides going for long walks, talking to friends and counselors and living in the fullness of community, being reminded of God's sovereignty and infinitude also brings a sense of peace and calm over me. In a day when we have information over-stimulation, less time outdoors, and a heightened sense of worry and anxiety, this passage certainly puts things in perspective. My conclusion is that a God like this can handle all my worries and anxieties, my shame and my fears. May we be on the lookout for new and holistic ways to trust Jesus, the Eternal Christ who was the Word in the beginning. The Word was with God and the Word was God; the Word was, the Word is and the Word shall be (John Chapter 1 and Sara Groves' song, The Word).
Respond
What are your obstacles in trusting the goodness and sovereignty of God? Write out your current worries and anxieties. Some like to fold them up and put them in a "God box" to look at later and keep praying for them or respond in gratitude for the evolving answers to prayer.
A book recommendation for dealing with anxiety: Cuss, Steve. 2019. Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Rest
Jesus, whose throne will last forever and ever, help us rest in your words and your infinitude. Thank you for having the long view. Give us your perspective today over our lives, our work, our studies, our loved ones. Remind us of your goodness and sovereignty. Help us to rest in you, our Creator since before there was time.
About the Author
Johnna Hayward Muniz is a cross-cultural bridge builder in Lyon, France where networking through language learning, intercultural adaptation, refugee and immigrant support, and practical resourcing builds community. A trauma recovery companion to women around the world, Johnna resides with her Brazilian husband and two young girls where they run Meetup groups as global personnel of ECC Serve Globally.