Malachi 3:16-4:6

Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. (Malachi 3:17, NRSV)

What a concept!

The passage goes on to say the Lord took notice and a book was written of those who revered God and thought on God’s name. And from that book, one could tell the difference between the righteous and the wicked ones. I’d sure be checking out that book from the Holy Library to see on which page my name fell!

But seriously, do we speak to one another enough about God? And when we do, do we argue and claim “right-ness” for ourselves and our individual denominations?

I can tell you I have learned a lot about God by speaking to those from different denominations than my own. I have also learned a great deal about myself and my own relationship with God. It has broadened my ideas of who God is in my own life and in the life of others. Perhaps we should take advantage of this waiting time and speak to each other. About God. About ourselves. Bet we’d find all our names on the “good” pages of that book if we did.

Holy One, instead of us trying to figure out who is holy and who is wicked, how ‘bout we find what is good and wicked within our own selves? How ‘bout we expand the good and lessen the wicked with wonderful conversations with others who also love you? How ‘bout that, God? Amen.

– The Reverend Fay Ann Blaylock, Zion United Church of Christ and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)