Dear Gatherers,
As our journey through Exodus forges ahead, this week finds us at a fascinating transition. The Israelites are out of Egypt and seem to be figuring out how reliance on God’s abundance works. Now they’re about to hear from their Divine Keeper in a way that will ultimately shape the meaning of law and justice forever. We’re approaching the definitive moment when Torah is given to Moses at Sinai (the “Mountain of God”) and crystallized into 10 rules that ultimately lay the groundwork for innumerable legal and ethical systems to come. They will be delivered in an awesome display of power as God’s presence shrouds the Sinai summit and the earthquakes at the thunder of God’s voice.
Before this happens, God says something no less extraordinary. He tells Moses to pass this along to the people: “You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to me” (Ex. 19:4). Then God encourages them to heed divine guidance, saying worth depends on their commitment to carry out the plans God has for them. All of this bravado is really about the people, not God. I lifted you so you would be special (also translated as ‘particular’ or ‘peculiar’) to me.” In other words, all of this God-bravado is really about you, not me. And that’s precisely how God’s power works. It’s always about how much God cares for us and God’s longing to lift us, to instruct us, to give us guidelines for our betterment.
Not feeling special lately? Take a minute or two and recall moments when you’ve been lifted out of despair or struggle or simply feeling stuck. Lifting us is how God reminds us we matter. God loves each of us in very specific ways. God likes that we’re peculiar. And because God wants us to succeed, God moves us toward some fairly basic, commonsensical guidelines for abundant life.
Be part of our summer-long study series Exodus: The Greatest Coming Out Story Ever Told. All kinds of amazing details come to light as we look at this ancient text through fresh eyes!
Join via Zoom, each Thursday at 7:30p CDT
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82424012625
Meeting ID: 824 2401 2625
Or dial 1-312-626-6799 using the same meeting ID.
Peace,
Pastor Tim
We need your help!
As we think about the future of Gather, please let us know what gifts you bring and would like to share with the community. There are many roles that have to come together to make Gather happen every week. This includes setup, technical support, worship, managing handouts and information, coordinating drinks, and teardown. We need your help. Please let us know what type of service you’d be interested in!
Watch God Work,
Tim & Shea
As we prepare to become a vibrant worshipping community, we invite you to enjoy a Spotify playlist that captures the kind of worship we hope to embrace. Give it a spin while you’re driving. Make it your workout jam. Add it to your devotional time. Most of all, feel yourself becoming part of a sacred village of believers who love their God and one another!
Check out the Gather Worship Playlist here.
