First Fruits
What do I have to bring to the table of the Lord? I am certain that we offer of ourselves more than we know. In my thinking, though, I wonder, “Is what I offer in the name of a Living God?” Sometimes (okay, most times) I do things for the betterment of self and self alone. I often forget God. To borrow a phrase from my grandmother, “We gotta dance with the one who brung ya.” Our actions are not in spite of God but because of God. The Creator who envisioned an implicate Order in perceived chaos yearns for me to dance with Deity, to mash potato with the Master, to electric slide with Elohim, to go-go with God, to moonwalk with the Maker and to lambada with the Lord. (Pardon; I just couldn’t help myself.)
The author of the second reading of the Law, Deuteronomy, reminded Israel of the return of Grace to them in their Liberation. ”So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me.” Place the basket before the LORD your God and bow down before him. And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household” (Deuteronomy 26:8-11. NIV). Israel was free. Free to embrace God who wanted the very best. So, we are free! Let’s dance and discover what we can do in spite of ourselves; giving it all back to the One who “brung us” this far!