Tag Archives: Advent2025

The Luck of the Draw

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Daily Readings: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 1:12-17, 21-26

They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way.” They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.

Acts 1:23-26, The Message

They got it down to two, then they drew straws to decide who would be the apostle to replace Judas. Shouldn’t there have been another round of interviews, perhaps some quiet time to reflect on this rather important decision? Why leave something so important up to chance?

For many years, I thought it was because they didn’t want to be responsible for making the final decision – better for Justus and Matthias to see it as the luck of the draw rather than a judgement on their abilities and souls.

As I’ve gotten older, I think it might have been something different. Matthias and Justus were both deemed capable and worthy. Had the draw gone to Justus, the path would have been different – not better or worse, just different.

Aren’t there times when we face that same thing – a fork in the road with both directions looking equal in worth? Perhaps, at that point, we should just flip a coin and fully embrace the outcome…and trust that the Spirit will bless the road we take.

Responsible

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Daily Readings: Psalm 124; Genesis 9:1-17; Hebrews 11:32-40

God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The fear and dread of you shall rest on every animal of the earth and on every bird of the air, on everything that creeps on the ground and on all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered. Genesis 9:1-2, NRSV

God blessed Noah and his sons: He said, “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill the Earth! Every living creature – birds, animals, fish – will fall under your spell and be afraid of you. You’re responsible for them. Genesis 9:1-3a, The Message

The living things we claim also claim us. We are responsible for the animals in our lives. When we bring home that new puppy or kitten, when we buy the tank and the goldfish, we take on the responsibility to feed them, keep them healthy, and offer them our love and attention. Because they depend on us, we must be dependable. It takes time and resources, and a lot of affection, to be responsible.

Franklin

The same holds true for the animals who feed and clothe us. We are responsible for providing them with good lives, with adequate food, shelter, and space to live well before they end up on our tables. This, too, costs – either a price tag at the grocery store or the effort and resources to raise them ourselves.

The animals that nourish us – emotionally or physically – are connected to who we are in a spiritual sense (As are the plants and other humans). We are part of a great, sacred whole. When we act responsibly, we bless creation. When we do not, we harm not only the animals we treat poorly: we harm creation and our own lives. Let’s not do that.

Ebbtide