"Living in the Light of God" - Isaiah 42:1-9 - January 9, 2005

The recent crisis in the Indian Ocean has been overwhelming. The amount of devastation and loss of human life is beyond our comprehension. For many, the dire consequences of the tsunami live on. Thousands of people have no food and fresh water. Families have lost everything. Many families are grieving over the loss of their loved ones. Entire communities have disappeared. For the people of the region, darkness looms over them and life as they have known it has ceased to exist.

Fortunately, many nations are responding with aid and resources. Food, water and medical supplies are beginning to reach those who are homeless, sick and starving. There are many reports of neighbors helping neighbors, communities banding together to rebuild and dig themselves out of the rubble.

In the past week I have heard folks attempt to rationalize why such a tragedy has occurred. How could God let this happen? Why have so many innocent people, especially children, lost their lives? Why was their no warning? Some have suggested that it’s God’s way of keeping the world’s population in check. I don’t agree.

This catastrophe, I believe, was not God’s doing. Yes, God created the earth, a planet that has severe weather at times, a planet where things happen beyond our control. As God’s people we have to respect the forces of nature and realize that our planet does not remain constant, nor is it always a place where its inhabitants will always be safe.

In one country they have made a new law that in the future no one can live within three hundred yards from the ocean. They have a new respect for the power of the sea. The tsunami has humbled them and they are responding.

What does all this have to do with the words of the prophet Isaiah? He also spoke to people in darkness. The Israelites were powerless and consequently losing their faith. They lived as an oppressed people with little hope of surviving. Isaiah told them that the only way to rise above their darkness was to live as servants, being a "light to the nations." They had the power to endure, but it was a spiritual power.

To have spiritual power meant that they had a responsibility to provide light for others who were in darkness, like so many people are doing in a variety of ways in the region of the Indian Ocean. The Israelites were to be a light, not with force or coercion, but with "a dimly burning wick." "A bruised reed they would not break," Isaiah said, meaning, they were to be a kinder and gentle people. He also said, "They were not to lift up their voice," meaning they didn’t have all the answers and they weren’t to attempt to dominate others and be in control.

Isaiah called the Israelites to righteousness, to be a "light to the nations." As people of faith we too are called to righteousness. Neither do we have all the answers, especially the ability to justify what has taken place. Our challenge is to be faithful. And so, you ask how. How do we live out our faith in our time?

For me, Isaiah outlines several ways. First, he tells us to be liberators. "To open the eyes that are blind and to bring out prisoners from the dungeon." That means to remove the barriers that keep people in bondage, including ourselves.

Now that Christmas is over I have been putting my new clothes in my closet. But, my closet is so full there is no room. I also had an old duffel bag in the bottom of my closet so I filled it with the things I don’t wear and I plan to take it to Goodwill. At least that is my plan. For the moment the duffel bag is sitting on the floor of my bedroom and I keep tripping over it. I had good intentions but until I follow through and take it to the center it remains in my path.

I believe we become more faithful when we simplify our lives by getting rid of our excess stuff. We can also simplify our lives by saying "no" to some things and getting more organized. But, we can’t experience liberation until we are willing to follow through. Until I deliver that bag to Goodwill I will keep tripping on it in the weeks to come.

Secondly, we need to have the courage to endure and not give up. Five years ago I decided to start going to the "Y" on a regular basis. It has really been good for me. I have discovered over the years that its basically the same folks who work out on a regular basis. Every January some new person will appear, probably because they received a membership for Christmas. But, then, after a few weeks they disappear. The discipline of exercising has been good for me and I have made some new friends.

I try to remain incognito at the "Y" because it is my personal time. I don’t consider it an extension of my ministry. There have been times when working out is painful and I have had thoughts of giving it up. But, last Wednesday morning reaffirmed my commitment to physical fitness. I was leaving after my workout and noticed that a friend of mine was signing up. He happened to be one of my old breakfast buddies. He was a member of the very group that I left when I determined that working out would be more beneficial than "pigging out." He too realized that he needed to make a change. Perhaps my willingness to hang in there has influenced one other person to make a change in their life.

Isaiah told his followers that they would not "faint or be crushed." In other words, they could endure because the spirit of God was upon them. The spirit of God is upon us too. God gives us the will to endure, the power to continue, even when it doesn’t appear that we are making a difference. To be righteous is to refrain from quitting or giving up all together.

Finally, Isaiah wants us to stay focused on the divine. "I am the Lord, I have called you to righteousness." God believes in us and we respond to God by staying tuned in.

I happened to catch a clip on MSNBC where Jim Scarborough was talking with an evangelist. I new it would be just a matter of time before the media started raising the question as to how a loving God could raise such havoc on so many innocent people. His guest had no answer to that question which was honest and accurate. There is no way that finite human beings can understand completely how the Infinite works. Nevertheless, we have to tune in to God for guidance and hope. The tsunami event is history except for the rebuilding of lives and communities. The tragedy has caused thousands of people pain and grief but it has not extinguished our need for hope and assurance.

May we continue to seek the light of God every day of our life. May we sense the presence of the divine and feel God’s loving spirit in our midst. By simplifying our lives we will be better prepared to make room for God’s will. By remaining steadfast in our faith our lives will have an impact on others. And, by focusing on God, rather than ourselves, we will let the light of God shine in our lives and lead us into the future.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio