Oh, the Wisdom of Ages

Oh, the Wisdom of Ages

Theology in the Trenches

by Kathleen Kjolhaug

 

Sitting in solace within white country church, I peer from the inside out. Organ music manifests redemption while fields lay fallow just beyond windowsill. Wildlife finds safety out of doors within sanctuaries of their own. Birds call peace be still.

Preacher proclaims truth from lectern…poised… filling jars of clay…broken, cracked, marred, scarred, restored, renewed. New wineskins hold, telling all and I know that my Redeemer lives. “His ways are not my ways,” declares the Lord from Isaiah echoing truth to all who enter.

Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord takes on new meaning now that we know more as more will be expected from those who do…know more that is. Life is at work in you…in me for He knows our needs before we even ask. (James 4:10, Luke 12:48, Matt. 6:8)

Challenging conventional wisdom…it is His ways over our own seekers must seek. Preacher says, “The Way of Glory tempts us to love the blessings more than the Blesser,” and so I beseech Thee, precious Lord…purify my heart.

Preacher says, The Way of Glory is not the way the truth nor the Light. The Way of Glory is about self…not Him. Preacher says…and I listen as glistening tears slide down cheek. Attention given draws sustenance.

Forward thinking, preacher says, is the Way of the Cross as we anticipate our future with Him, not questioning our present suffering…but focusing on that which is to come. It’s about Him, not me…and my vision clears.

No dismay here as preacher teaches that which is old…made new again…to the old…the young…and to all who enter. Holy ground stands on firm foundations of truth…and peace be still alights to that which is unveiled.

"Do not be dismayed, I am with you,” falls fresh on all who entered this haven of heaven equipping for the week to come. Drink deeply…all shall begin again after this day of rest…healing that which we knew not needed healing.

Hosea 6:3 whispers, “So let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.”

We are the church. Matt. 28:10 proclaims, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” as it was in the beginning…now and ever shall be…world without end…Amen.  Amen.