Thursday, December 19, 2024

This new plan I’m making with Israel isn’t going to be written on paper, isn’t going to be chiseled in stone; this time “I’m writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts.”

Hebrews 10:16

 

This verse from Hebrews is striking to me, because it reminds us that  we all have a very deep relationship with God. God’s plan isn’t about the

sacrifices that we make or the words that we speak, but the plan is in us. (In this case, we are Israel).

 

In the Old Testament, there were always sacrifices being lifted to God, but then Jesus came and made the ultimate sacrifice, and everything changed from that point on. We no longer have to offer sacrifices to please God.

 

God’s plan is deep-seeded in us, carved in the very lining of our hearts, so deep that we can’t even fathom it, and we can’t discard it. This word in our hearts then reminds us all the time to do what God would have us do, to feed the hungry, care for the sick, help those in need, etc.

 

The ELCA calls one Sunday in September God’s Work Our Hands Day, but the plan carved into our hearts makes us understand that our hands should be doing God’s work every single day, because THAT is the plan.

 

I am forever grateful for all of our Lutheran social service agencies who every day live out this plan that is carved into their hearts and ours.

 

Wonderful God, help us to daily live out the plan you have carved into the very lining of our hearts. Amen.

 

Pastor Sandra Brown is Interim Pastor, Good Shepherd Southampton, trainer for LCS Lay Eucharistic Visitor training, and serves on LCS’ Advisory Committee and Liberty’s Advancement Committee.