Joshua 24:15 – But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve …. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Philippians 2:12 – Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
The word “salvation” was key to my upbringing and has remained a word both of comfort and of questions in my adulthood. It has become a word that conflicts me at times. Our Narrative Lectionary for this past Sunday references the words of Joshua, who proclaims his allegiance to God above all other gods of the region. His mind was made up, and nothing would waiver that proclamation for him. Salvation in my childhood and youth was asking Jesus into your heart for the forgiveness of sins and acknowledging his sacrificial death on the cross. It was basically a “one and done” kind of experience. Once your commitment was sealed with the prayer of salvation, nothing could pluck you out of God’s hands.
In addressing a salvation experience in my Reflection today, I do not in any way wish to minimize that experience for myself or anyone else who has found salvation in such a manner. However, I’ve come to understand salvation in a much more nuanced kind of way. First of all, only God knows the hearts and minds of each human being. I don’t think it’s the job of Christians to decide whose conversion experience was real and who missed the mark, or if an individual had a conversion experience at all! I have firmly come to believe that it’s all God’s call. When I remain in that frame of mind, I can relax. It is not my job to “save” anyone, but it is my job to share the love of Jesus and to live a life consistent with his teachings. In this way, I am continuing to work through my own salvation as referenced by Paul in the Philippians verse noted above.
When we study the Bible and adhere to a certain interpretation of scripture, we can unintentionally close ourselves off to other ways of seeing what is written. In our Sunday night Bible study group, it was mentioned that historical setting – time and place – must factor into our understanding as well. It is so easy to overlook those variables. It is so easy to become judgy in our absolute stances. In aging, I had truly hoped to gain more wisdom and a firmer stronghold of my faith. If anything, what I’ve gained is a stronger understanding of the mysteries of God and a humility in acknowledging that I’m never going to “get it” all in my faith walk. All I can do is give God the faith that I do have – and allow the Holy Spirit to mold me as I continue on my spiritual journey.
Dear Lord, we thank you for salvation and for your ever-present role in our lives. May we rest in our simple understanding of your Word, acknowledging that some mysteries are not ours to ever fully explain.
Blessings to all on this beautiful fall day!!
Diana
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