“In a league of his own”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Monday, January 9, 2023
Isaiah 40:12-26 (Forward, p. 72) CEV p. 733
One of the things that sports writers seem to glory in is superlatives, especially in describing an outstanding player in a particular sport. For instance, Wayne Gretzky has often been described as ‘the Great One’. And, more lately upon his death, Pele of Brazil soccer fame was lauded for his incredible game ability and exploits. And, in this vain I could go on to mention greats in other sports as well, football, tennis, boxing. The list could go on. That person is clearly regarded as being in a league of his or her own.
But, in all this there is one snag, one slight hiccup. The person lauded is only as great as long as his or her record is not broken or surpassed by another. When that happens, his or her star is eclipsed, as it were.
There is one exception to all this and that is God. God is clearly in a ‘league of his own’, and there are no pretenders, no equals, no one that is even close. God’s record and achievements will never, ever be eclipsed by another. Our author mentions just a few of them:
-God’s wisdom and understanding
-no one has taught Him anything
-God’s action in creating the world
-God’s sovereignty over the nations
-the nations are as nothing to Him
-God’s ‘ownership’ of the world
-God’s power and control (especially when compared with an idol)
-God’s deputising of the world’s leaders, setting them in their places and deposing of them as well.
Given all this, it is only right and proper that we give Him the honour, praise and obedience that is His due. And yet, far too often, we flatter ourselves by thinking that we are in control, that we can chart the order and direction of our lives. And we forget that all of it ultimately comes from Him. We forget that God is in a ‘league of His own’ and that we aren’t even close. May God help us, then, to have a more accurate and reasonable assessment of just where we stand. Amen.
Forward notes: “To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?” (verse 18)
Commemoration: Julia Chester Emery, Lay Leader & Missionary
“Julia Chester Emery founded the United Thank Offering (UTO). This ministry of the Episcopal Church encourages the personal spiritual practice of gratitude. We are all asked to give thanks in everything. For me, this is hard to do when I keep myself too busy. In those periods of my year, I try to take seriously my spiritual director’s advice to stop and notice the little things during my day—and to thank God for them.
“UTO’s ministry invites us to make an offering for each of those blessings we might notice during our day. Their Blue Box takes the form of either an actual small cardboard box or the UTO Blue Box app. UTO then distributes 100 percent of the collection to mission and ministry through the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion.
“Emery’s work continues to shape the church today. Being created in God’s image means being invited into God’s work of creating this new world of abundance and gratitude, where no one is hungry and the oppressed are set free.”
[This is a ministry of the Episcopal Church of the United States]
Moving Forward: “Does your giving go hand in hand with gratitude?”