Whenever you have said or done something to hurt someone an awkward wall of separation develops. Things are not right. We don’t like the aloneness this breach of relationship brings, especially if it happens with someone we care deeply about. When there is reconciliation we rejoice in the feelings of peace, relief and joy. The world is right again.
Through the ages people have wondered about the nature of God. In the Old Testament, God is often thought to be vengeful, punishing, stern and jealous. Certainly the first two verses of Joel 2 might appear to confirm that notion, “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming, it is near—a day of darkness and gloom…” but that portrait isn’t accurate as the latter verses of this scripture affirm. In verse 12, we see the true nature of God: gracious, merciful, slow to anger, a God abounding in steadfast love, full of grace and reluctant to punish, consistent with the description of God in the New Testament.
This is good news about a God who wants to have a relationship with us and with whom we want to be in relationship. God is compassionate, forgiving and loving, a God of second and third and even twenty chances. No matter how hard I might try to do otherwise I am going to sin, separating myself from God. When that happens it is comforting to know that even at my worst God is ready to restore the relationship, forgive me and welcome me back into a state of a right and loving relationship. God is ready when I am.
This season is an ideal time to quietly reflect on our relationship with God and others, a time to seek relational healing. Just as God is ready to restore us to full relationship we can strive to make right our relationships with others. Then we can truly become Easter people, filled with joy in the risen Christ and right relationships.
God, I long to know you better and give thanks in the knowledge that you are merciful and abound in steadfast love. Help me to live into a deeper loving relationship with you and with those you have given me.
