Grounding
- The Rev. Thomas C. Pumphrey
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
Their delight is in the law of the LORD, * and they meditate on his law day and night. Psalm 1:2
Dear Friends in Christ,
Summer is often a time for disconnection from work and school, and we carve out time for relaxation and reflection. In our leisure, there is still time for conversations about inflation, global politics, conflict with Iran, social issues in the US, kids, teachers, and the juggle of it all. One of the things that I notice about conversations on all these topics is the way people discuss the issues. What or who do we prioritize? On what basis do we agree or disagree? What ideas do we hold sacred? Do we justify our opinions with anger or vengeance? Does utility and efficiency define our right and wrong? Is popularity the deciding factor?
What if we tested all the ways of thinking, all the values that get put on the table in such conversations, all our gut reactions—by God’s standards and God’s calls to us? How does God call us to understand our world, ourselves and each other? How does God love with justice and truth? How can we embody Jesus’ generous love for his enemies when we disagree?
Each week, we start our week together worshipping God, hearing from God’s word in scripture, being refreshed by the sacraments and Christian fellowship. This practice of sabbath keeping then forms and shapes the rest of the week for us, strengthening our daily prayers and daily study, keeping us grounded in God and in God’s view of the world. This grounding then provides important guidance for the often puzzling and vexing issues that come before us. Without that grounding, we are immersed in the ways of the world, the values that see through selfish and human-centered eyes. But grounded in God’s presence, God’s wisdom and God’s grace, we engage differently, with the world, with each other and with ourselves.
Make this grounding your grounding, this summer and always.
(I haven’t sorted out all of my thoughts about recent conflicts with Iran, but here’s another article of mine that might relate.)
Yours in Christ,
-Tom
