The Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

Sunday, December 14, 2014                                                         Hebrews 12:18-29

David Linley

  

As the father of young children, I can testify that as much as the Christian season of Advent is a time of reflective waiting, the secular season of Christmas is a time of exhausting doing.  We are constantly barraged with reminders of things we are supposed to do be doing or being: being generous to the Church and the community, being thankful for our blessings, being thoughtful with our gifts, being open to the joyfulness, and being ready with extra food for when Cousin Eddie rolls into town.  All of it is geared towards re-orienting us back to Jesus Christ.  And I welcome it, truly I do.  I try not to be lazy, and I want to learn.  It is just that sometimes the best-intentioned message seems like another item on the list, another thing demanding attention and action.

Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is priceless in this regard.  Paul quotes the earlier prophecy “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven.”  And then, bless him, he explains how to read it.  “This phrase, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of what is shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain.”  The kingdom of God is what cannot be shaken, and Paul is saying no more than that we should give thanks for this gift of what cannot be shaken.  Presaging Twitter and text messages by several centuries, Paul breaks through with a short statement of hope, awe and remembrance. 

I like the idea of an Advent looking towards something that cannot be shaken.  If it cannot be shaken, it gives me something to latch onto, a way to navigate each current and eddy (and Eddie) so that the good ship lollypop over here does not take on water faster than I can bail it out.  All I need to do is to look for the gift, and give thanks for it.  That I can do.

Prayer:  With reverence and awe, we give thanks to God.
                  Lord, help us to ensure that we do not refuse the one who is speaking.
                  Lord, help us to offer an acceptable worship.
                  For we have been offered the gift of a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Daily Challenge:  If you knew that where you stood, today, were unshakeable, what fearsome things would you let go?  And how much time would that give you to give thanks?