“COME…!”(Is.55:1-5).
In medium and small size aircrafts passengers of the economy class pass through the first-class section. In some cases both the first-class and economy class passengers share the same toilets. Only a curtain seperates the first-class from the economy class. Perhaps the only difference is that those with first-class tickets often board the plane first, and the seats are spacious and more comfortable.
On few occasions I have been asked to sit in the first-class with a second-class ticket simply because the first-class was empty.
The way I see it, there is no big deal as long as all the passengers are in the same plane and are going to arrive at the same time.
The value we place on things depends on how much they cost; it’s not so much because of the quality. Some times it is the brand name that makes something to be expensive; it is not expensive because it has top quality.
At a certain wedding we joked with the father of the groom and said, “This suit should be about 500,000frs.” He said, it was only 600,000frs, but that during the reception the one he will put on costs a million francs. When I compared both suits to my 50,000 francs suit I didn’t seem to think that there was much difference – except in the brand name. (This is not the philosophy of “sour grapes).”
Some of the things we spend money on just don’t add up. The more ostentatious we are, the more empty we become, because we get so obsessed about what is in voque. We would want to own the latest.
Our appetites are insatiable as long as we have not curbed our desires and overcome our greeds.
In all these, we keep chasing the shadow while the object watches us in derision.
With a bank account that can provide for us everything and anything at anytime, with investments that can serve us in five lifetimes, we may still feel shallow, light and empty, if there is a spiritual vacuum! To put it in the manner of St. Augustine of Hippo, we are made for God and as long as we have not found him our souls remain restless until they find rest in him.
God watches and laughs at our foolishness, but he has this deep love and he cannot remain quiet and watch us destroy our lives as we insist on our paths.
He is often angry with us; and when this happens, he hands us over to the enemy, but only for a brief moment.
Today, through the prophet Isaiah he says, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live…”
Oh what a father! In these three verses the call of God, “Come” is made five times.
If you have come, then good for you. But those of us who have wandered far away from him, please, let us return to the LORD through the Son who ransomed us with his blood. He is the Bread of life and he is the Living Water that refreshes our souls with a never-ending spring!
Prayer: Here I come LORD. Feed me till I want no more and give me to drink till my thirst is quenched. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.