The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Isaiah 2:1-5
If you were in church on a particular Sunday last summer, you'11 remember watching a single red balloon as it floated lazily across the sanctuary ceiling, high above the choir. An escapee from a wedding the previous day, it simply followed the path of air conditioning currents -- until it fell into the grip of a recessed lighting fixture. Not even Louise's fine sermon could compete with the magnificent, inevitable POP! that resounded throughout the whole building.
I often return to this balloon image in my private meditations. The desultory bobbing reminds me all too often of myself as I float from one activity to another -- all very worthy and meaningful, of course! Sometimes I feel helpless in the face of schedules, concerns, desires, and hopes. I need a much greater power to hold me and center me, just as the balloon was finally captured by the heat of the light.
But what is the result of being exposed to the centering energy of God? After all, the balloon exploded. And an explosion is jarring and disturbing, isn't it? Well, it can be, unless it's fun and delightful, which in the case of the balloon, it was. Laughter rippled throughout the sanctuary that day, shaking us out of our usual Sunday morning expectations. Everyone enjoyed the unexpected change. I've concluded that it's up to me to expose myself to the heat & light of God. That energy is warming, enveloping, and important to my health in every way. And the explosion? It's not for me to worry about. I'll just let it be the surprise that is meant to be.
Prayer: As Jesus absorbed your light, O God, He exploded into unsettling words and deeds, disturbing death, and finally, delightful everlasting life. Give me the courage and patience today to sit for a time in your light. Center me in your love so that all I do will flow freely from You. Amen.
Kathryn Treece (1991)
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