What is God up to?

Dear Friends in Christ -

In the midst of all the betrayals and other sufferings of life, it's entirely natural that we would want to know what God is up to in the midst of it all. No few words can speak the full truth of who God is and how God operates. But, as it is said, a picture is worth a thousand words.

And a picture that speaks a strong answer to these fundamental questions is in the Santa Maria Novella church in Florence, Italy. The painting is called the Holy Trinity, and it's by a painter named Masaccio, who likely painted it sometime around the year 1425. [To see it, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Trinity_(Masaccio)]

At a time when God was most often depicted in art as a disembodied hand whose work was mysterious, Masaccio depicts God as an enormous human figure. And what is God doing? Holding up the cross on which Christ is doing His salvific work. Jesus can't see his Father, who is behind him. But He knows His Father is there, and speaks to him with His last breath: "Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit," trusting to the end.

When we can't see what God is up to, do we follow Jesus' example in trusting, even when we cannot see? Now is the time. Here is the place. God's made reservations for a seat at the table on Maundy Thursday, for a place at the foot of the Cross on Good Friday, for a spot on Easter Morning where the sun/Son peeks over the horizon. Have you made a commitment to be there, too?

Faithfully,
Janet+

Whatever happens this week, I know one thing for sure: the God who holds us is here, and what He will do among us in this place will be uniquely