REPAIRER
Isaiah 58:11-12
“The Lord will
guide you continually,
and satisfy your needs in parched places,
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters never fail.
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.”
Many people told me, as they shared their 2020 Star Word, that it felt like the word chose them and not the other way around. I can’t help but agree. I feel like my Star Word, “Repairer” chose me as well. And the scripture that this word was chosen from is providing me both with a great deal of comfort and conviction.
Star Words – a word to guide our year, much as the star guided the Wise Ones to find Jesus – are meant to help us think about our intentions for the year. At the same time, they are to remind us that whatever this year may bring, God’s presence is in the midst of it all.
2020, even though we are just getting started with it, has already been a difficult year. The wildfires that are decimating Australia, the bombing of an Iranian leader and the fears of impending war, escalating anti-Semitic violence across our country, and a political climate that only deepens divides – all of this and so much more make me wonder if 2020 is a year that will need to be survived, and not lived.
But, then I read the words of Isaiah again. It is calling me to repair and restore our broken world in whatever I can, no matter how small that way may be. But, the prophet knew that to make any corner of the world a better place, we must do so relying on the grace of God. It is fitting, then, that these two verses are put side by side: first a reminder that God is always with us, and then a call to be the hands and feet of God for our world. You cannot have one without the other. And thank God for that.
I am curious about how my Star Word – REPAIRER – will make itself known to me throughout 2020. And I am committed to sharing my reflections and experiences along the way. I do this for three reasons: 1) I want to live what I preach, and as I have asked our worshipping community to take their Star Words seriously, I intend to as well; 2) I want to be held accountable to taking my call from God to repair and restore the world, and I can only do that by being open and honest along the way; and 3) I want to encourage everyone to use their Star Word as a source of reflection, prayer, and inspiration. Just as I intend to share throughout the year my experiences and learnings, I hope you will do the same.
If you have not received your Star Word, and would like one, please just let me know.
God’s Grace and Peace for another year.