Natural

 "You've watched all the way to the Lord's end, that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful," James 5:11.

Well, naturally! Religious people have few real problems, it's only natural that they talk God's compassion - they've got it made in the shade. Natural to talk with glib, stained-glass words. Yeah, right, let them walk a few miles in our moccasins, and then let's see how natural to talk about mercy. But, wait! the verse above talks about a man who lost big time, and, bereft of family, got a disgusting, oozing sickness. Talks of people whose friends betray them. Of people hounded by ruling authorities. Of people persecuted. Suffering. Of people, despite circumstance, who tell of God's mercy. Of his care. Of people who extend mercy to their persecutors. Extraordinary! Kingdom of God. Not of this world. Of the sky. Supernatural.

We look out for a brother or sister today. Together we give thanks to our merciful God. For giving us the sky kingdom that cannot be shaken by this world's (dis)order. Clear beyond the end.