What I am reading:

Hope lies in the book of Isaiah:

If there were one bible course I wish I could have taken while at Seminary it was Isaiah. In short snippits, I have always loved the way the author writes, not to mention his message.

This coming Sunday I am honored to be reading selections out of Isaiah’s 43^rd chapter at the ordination of one of my dear seminary friends, Beth.

Isaiah speaks messages to us from God about God’s presence, activity and promises. They abound in these verses.

This reminds me of years in High School. In a class of 620 students I seemed always to be just beyond the limits of the ‘inside’ group. Just outside the top 10%, just a smidge beneath the honor role.

In the spring of my senior year, the first year competitive women’s athletics were offered in Wisconsin, I decided to try out for the women’s softball team. I had played softball during my elementary years and then had been my younger brother’s practice partner while he competed in Little League – I pitched/tossed and he caught.

After a week of ball tossing, airball fielding and base running, I was sent home. The last one cut from a team that would eventually take the first Division 1 title for girls in Wisconsin.

Close, but no cigar… again.

But because of the words of Isaiah, I can take heart. Since, in God’s eyes I am chosen, I am forever on God’s team. I have known you, God says, you are mine – God says. Besides, it’s not about me, anyway. It’s about God and God’s glory, God’s legacy!

God never said the walk would be easy – in fact, Jesus BEGAN his ministry in the midst of wilderness and temptation. But God does promise to be with us, so we are not to fear (or get discouraged) as we walk through these almost, but not quite places of desolation.

God also promises that in God’s time something new will come; that the Spirit of God will pour rain on dry water beds so that they become rivers in the desert. That promise came in Jesus.

This is the Word of the Lord, whom Julian of Norwich calls ‘I it am’. The living, breathing, walking alongside, promise fulfilling 

God. This is my hope. My legacy.