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Divine Absurdities

There are so many Divine Absurdities in this life. God just does not see this world the way we do. We tend to look to our bank accounts, the sizes of our houses, the trips we can take to measure our blessings. It’s not that way with God.

It was at the moment of incarnation that Mary, the mother of Jesus, understood the reality of Divine Absurdities most fully. When Jesus came into her life, she understood the deep realities of this world that so many miss. She had better insight into God than the greatest theologians who ever lived. Read what she says about God;

And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers. (Luke 1:46-55)

One of the Divine Absurdities that stands out to me in this song from Mary’s heart are that He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty. I never feel this more intensely than when I am in the presence of the world’s poor. The poor are truly hungry. What they wouldn’t do if they were able to eat the scraps that I throw away after dinner. I recognize my own extravagance when I am in a third world country and take my daily supplements. Even though I always get a decent amount of food each day, I also add some vitamins and minerals that I think my body needs. Yet, these hungry people are filled with good things, while the rich go away empty.

The sad thing is that the rich don’t even know they are empty. They are so full of their riches that they don’t realize how empty they are. I couldn’t recognize my emptiness in my richness either. I can’t see my emptiness until I attend church with the poor. Their love and devotion to God is what shows me how little I really have. I know not all poor are satisfied with good things, and just because you are rich doesn’t mean you are empty.

It’s important to think about the Divine Absurdities in this life. The world is full of them. Forgiveness is one. Giving your first fruits—your tithe—is another. Loving your enemies is one of the most absurd of all. Living by the truth of these Divine Absurdities will make you break forth in song. Mary was speaking for us all when she said that God has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. The greatest of all God’s Divine Absurdities is that Jesus Christ’s sinless life can be transferred into us. I really love His Divine plans; perhaps they aren’t so absurd after all.


 

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