Contributing Writer
Rev. Dr. Scott D. Hannon
St. John Lutheran Church, Amherst, NY
We are not there yet. We are not yet what we shall be.
“This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise,” Martin Luther writes. The scripture from 1 John probably put that idea in Luther’s mind. That sacred text reads (in the poetic words of the KJV), “…it doth not yet appear what we shall be.” It doth not yet appear what we shall be. I John 3:2
In modern lingo we might say, we are not yet sure of what we shall become. Like Luther suggested, we are becoming. This reality remains as true today as it was in the 1st and 16th centuries.
We are not there yet. We are not yet what we shall be.
Unfortunately, and nevertheless, many people assume they are. We live in a world that demands “finished products,” cherishes “experts,” and rewards “know-it-alls.” Too many of our conversations begin between people who have nothing to learn from one another. Too many of our days start without any expectation of growth.
Too many of our people assume they’re right and all those who disagree are wrong.
We know there is a lot of becoming that is necessary in this world, we just assume it
And so, perhaps now more than ever we need to allow that text from 1 John to challenge us…
It doth not yet appear what we shall be.
Perhaps now is the time to consider…
What are we becoming?
During this time of absolute political polarization,
Living under the threat of world war,
Facing daunting realities from indiscriminating viruses,
Mourning nonsensical and tragic loss,
Struggling with how to make ends meet,
And carrying on as we have been called to do…
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