Restoration

"In those days and in that time, says the LORD, the people of Israel shall come, they and the people of Judah together; they shall come weeping as they seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with faces turned toward it, and they shall come and join themselves to the LORD by an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten."

(Jeremiah 50:4-5)

Reconciliation.

Restoration.

Reunion.

Renewal.

These are inspiring words and concepts that we can all get behind... until we're part of the parties that need restoration. Then it gets tough. Think: the US Civil War (North v. South)... think: Rwandan Genocide (Hutus v. Tutsis)... think: the current US political climate (Democrats v. Republicans)... think: the theological divide in the UMC (progressives v. conservatives). The list could go on and on.

We humans do an EXCELLENT job at separating ourselves from others (usually by things we do or say). It's a far cry from what God envisioned for us (in terms of getting along and living together in peace). It's been that way for a long, long time.

In Ancient Israel, there was a time when the nation split in two: the North (Israel) and the South (Judah). It was this was for a few hundred years or so. The split happened over political reasons, of course. After King Solomon, the Northern tribes felt like they were being taken advantage of, and asked for change. It was denied by King Rehoboam. So the North took their ball (I mean, country name) and went home, forming a new kingdom (Israel).

Jeremiah, who lived during the exile (5th century BCE) had a word of reconciliation in chapter 50. It's beautiful. Judah and Israel will come back together to seek the LORD, weeping. I imagine the weeping was for a variety of reasons, including the harm they'd done to each other (and what had been done to them), as well as the potential joy of being reunited in God's presence with rejoicing!

So who are you (who am I?) estranged from today? Who do you need reconciliation with? As difficult as it may seem to think about actually restoring a damaged relationship, with God all things are possible. The promise of the Kingdom of God is this kind of restoration & reconciliation. Unless, of course, we're too proud to come back together?!? Unless we refuse to return to God with humility and graciousness. May it not be that way with us! AMEN.