This week is a glory-filled one for those New Orleans folks who love their Saints. I can't help but smile when I think of this struggling, once-glorious city, feeling a surge of self-confidence again because of their Super Bowl win. I for one sincerely hope they get an economic surge as well; it’s been a long post-Katrina haul, and they could use a break.
I’ve also enjoyed perusing through the Super Bowl commercials, which has become a sport of its own these past few years. A few companies are having their glory-moments because their commercials hit the mark perfectly. Plenty others leave us marveling at what they were trying to say and who exactly those companies think we are!
Perhaps the most acclaimed commercial was Google’s Love Story Ad, which took viewers on a seeker's journey and ended with the simple words, “Search on.” With much lower production costs than most, this emotion-stirring ad (created by Eric Schmidt) is truly a winner. The message is that Google can be a guide through life, helping people to bridge the knowledge gaps (as well as the cultural gaps) and find the sweet life they’re hoping for. You don’t need a Super Bowl ring to be glowing with glory. You can find it in the everyday moments of your Search.
Jump with me into a glorious moment in the lives of Peter, James, and John in Luke 9:28-36. These three guys have seen some wild things while hanging with this Jesus, but this is one unforgettable mountain-top trip. (I mean, we knew he had some God-power, but we didn’t expect to see him radiating light and channeling our two greatest heroes!)
Peter, of course, would like the glorious moment to last forever, not knowing that there’s a much more profound glory still to come. The light gets swallowed up in fog. They hear a voice, and there’s no doubt that it’s God speaking, telling them to keep listening. Stay tuned, guys, ‘cause this glory-story has only just begun.
And what’s that “exodus” that Jesus was chatting with Moses and Elijah about? That’s where we fit into the glory. Jesus was not about to stay in that moment of God’s glorious affirmation, as if that's all life is about. He walked forward to continue his Search to bring everyone into God’s Love Story. As we, too, join that Search for what is real and true, we can welcome Jesus’ light and power into our lives, seeing glory in the everyday, every time we bridge the gaps between God and God’s people.
I’ll end with some words of poetry to ponder:
Signs and wonders lead the dancing from the heart God frees from fear:
wings of angels greet the maiden, and God finds a dwelling here;
boldly may we lift our hands, bow the head, and voice Amen;
thus does glory shine at midnight: open hearts invite the starlight…
Cast aside all fear and hiding; hand in hand we dance the round.
God is with us, Christ, abiding, and the Spirit’s gifts abound.
Called by God to holiness, let us boldly serve and bless;
and to hearts that sigh and hunger
may our lives dance signs and wonders.
from Signs and Wonders by Susan Palo Cherwien,
Evangelical Lutheran Worship # 672
Please join in the conversation by commenting below, offering your glory-stories or any other thoughts you might have. You can also join in by the way's audio Skype conversation, Thursday, 7pm, Feb. 11. Look for the contact name: bytheway community.
May glories abound,
Kari
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