“For the promise that he would inherit in the world did not come to Abraham or his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.” Romans 4: 13-14
My father was nearing the end of a painful battle with kidney cancer. Each day began the same during his six-month battle. I woke up each morning and played “Let’s Make A Deal” with God. I would offer to give away everything I had. I would pledge to right every wrong I had ever committed, if only God would cure my dad. I had the contractual agreement all drawn up in my head. All God had to do was sign on the dotted line.
Three days after what would be my dad’s last Christmas, he suffered a severe stroke as a result of the medication he was taking to control his pain. As the hospice nurses arrived, I sat helpless next to my dad. I tore up the mental contract that I had prepared for God. I will never forget the moment that the “Let’s Make A Deal” theme song quieted just long enough for me to hear God’s promise to me…”You have my word.” I realized that God wasn’t interested in what I could do for God. God didn’t much care about contractual obligations. My fear that God would default on our agreement had turned in to absolute trust that God would relieve my father of his suffering and comfort my family and me in the difficult days ahead.
God invites us into relationship not because of any laws, deals or guarantees but because of grace. Our response, then, is not one of contractual obligations, but of trust and faith in what God did, does, and will do for us through Jesus Christ. Abraham didn’t have a guarantee, but a promise from God. We can trust in the same promise. Instead of “Let’s Make A Deal,” God offers “You have my word.”
Comforter God, during this Lenten journey, may we experience the peace that can be found in trusting in your promise to us. Amen.
Lauren Weinhold, Director of Church Growth
