Woman, You are Called

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S (Scripture): Jusges 4:9 Deborah answered, “I’ll definitely go with you. However, the path you’re taking won’t bring honor to you, because the Lord will hand over Sisera to a woman.” Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh…

18 Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come in, sir, come in here. Don’t be afraid.” So he went with her into the tent, and she hid him under a blanket…

21…Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent stake and a hammer. While Sisera was sound asleep from exhaustion, she tiptoed to him. She drove the stake through his head and down into the ground, and he died. 22 Just then, Barak arrived after chasing Sisera. Jael went out to meet him and said, “Come and I’ll show you the man you’re after.” So he went in with her, and there was Sisera, lying dead, with the stake through his head.

O (Observation): Quite violent. Quite peculiar that God’s people were saved in this manner (deception and violence). And a reminder that God has always been ready to work in and through women at different points in our history.

A (Application): I’m kind of left with more questions than answers.

This kind of violence still bewilders me. And unfortunately, a text like this falls right in line with the idea that Israel is superior over all others, and that violence (in today’s world) is an okay answer to bring about God’s Kingdom (including subduing others).

When we do this as Christians today, we completely overlook the shift in God’s action: Jesus! Strength through vulnerability.

I love that Deborah is the judge who shares God’s prophetic word, and that Jael is the one to kill Sisera.

A powerful witness of the stance of women enacting God’s call.

Now, if we could just enter an era in which justice for all genders is welcome…

P (Prayer): Hello, God! Been a while since I posted here. I hope you cherished this time together. I did. Remind me that you can work through all people of all genders to make things new. Amen.

Re-Cap of Global Pilgrimage (Day 1 of 2)

Friday, 9/26/14, provided lots of “kairos” (God-moments), at 3DM’s Global Pilgrimage. I think my favorite quote of the day was when Jo Saxton (part of the 3DM team) was discussing Deborah in Judges 4, and the flaming chariots of the enemy were a foreboding and fearful image. Saxton explained the difference between what we see and what God might be seeing in this situation:

“We see chariots. God sees breakthrough.”

This quote sums up the whole day for me. A lot of times, we see church as an organization, or a gathering of like-minded individuals. I think church is so much more, and I think we hunger for more. I think we hunger for breakthrough.

Mike Breen, founder of 3DM, reminded us that God had Gideon (Judges 6) defeat an army of 10’s of 1,000’s with trumpets and torches.

Breen also pointed out that Gideon’s story starts out with the Israelites in the scarcity mentality. They are hiding in the hills, forgetting about their God of Abundance.

But once again, I come back to Saxton’s quote: “We see chariots. God sees breakthrough.”

Now, fill in the blank with the obstacle or threat that is blocking your view of God’s Kingdom breaking through:

“We see ________. God sees breakthrough.”

I’ll reflect on today’s event later.

Peace out! Pr. Michael Jannett