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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

A Meditation on Natalie K. Nelson's "Millennials"




I see a diversity of cups. Some of them draw me in, others push me away. Some seem so empty and lifeless, while others hold promise and hope. I feel that the Lord wants to fill all of those cups to overflowing, to make them complete. Yet, some of those cups would rather settle for mediocrity. Settle for a life half lived or a life not sufficient enough to last forever. This I see symbolized by what appears to be three small shot glasses. I am drawn to the cup at the top with all the colorful stripes. It seems to surpass the others. It is full, its colors represent diversity and not the status quo. It invites whosoever from every race, nation, and tongue to come and drink deeply from it. Its colors are uniform and there is no indication of emptiness. I look at the word "millennials" and I think about the millennial reign of Christ rooted in the various end times theological positions. I ask myself, "What cup do you want to represent your reigning with Him forever?" The cup I am drawn to indicates a peace amidst the chaotic feel of the other cups. Some are too big, some are too small and some are too thin. False imitations of the true "life-giving" cup. I want to reach out and take that cup. But I am reminded that recognizing that "life-giving" cup is recognizing Christ in the midst of all those counterfeits this world presents. Can I recognize Him among the many choices set before me? Yes, as my eyes keep coming back to that one cup, that cup of communion, holding the blood of our Lord for all peoples who would choose to drink from it. I am reminded of Jesus' words to the Samaritan woman, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14) The choices are many, the offers are varied but only one cup contains the truth and brings all the colors together in a unified manner. This is what the Trinity represents, unity in diversity, all pointing back to that great sacrifice, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (1 Corinthians 11:25) Even so Lord Jesus, let me drink deeply.

Shalom,
Pastor Sheree