On Monday, God looked like the incredible, life-saving wave that washed in seconds after blasts one and two. Americans did what Americans do so well--spring into action to rescue each other.
On Tuesday, God looked like the shoulder-to-shoulder compassion extended in Boston and around the world, comforting in grief, reminding each other of what love and goodness and selflessness look like.
God is rescue.
God is comfort in grief.
God is love and goodness and selflessness.
Today, though the landscape is forever changed, we will take tentative steps back into the skin through which we normally present God. That's what believers do--whatever characterizes us is the skin God is wearing in the eyes of onlookers.
What skin will I have Him wear today?
Will I be kind and thoughtful?
Will I be dogmatic and preachy?
Will I be quick to help, generous in spirit?
Will I be sarcastic and passive-aggressive?
Will I be full of hope, praising God?
Will I help mend hearts sent my way?
There is nothing easy about wearing skin that reflects God. It must weather bombings and work to restore hope. It must absorb a normal day's irritants and bounce back kindness and patience. It must trump reconciliation with impossible people, while holding necessary feet to the fire. It must, above all, constantly monitor how it is, with each day's effort, restoring the image of God.
And so I pray:
May I praise You, Lord, with my body, my spirit, my words, and my life. May my skin today reflect the real You.
