God’s Creation and Spiritual Transformation

We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
Joseph Campbell

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ of Peace-Grue Parish,

Blessings to you and all you hold dear as we enter the excitement of fall. School has started, in-cluding fall sports and activities, fall hunting has begun, and for those of you partake in Pumpkin Spice season, enjoy! (Personally not my thing, but I must confess that I am beyond thrilled that DQ introduced a Maple Cookie shake.)

In addition to the usual September chores and projects at Casa Carlson this year, we are replacing our driveway which is long overdue. I am so looking forward to a fresh new surface devoid of cracks, crevices and patched over potholes and the accompanying weeds that take root.

Thinking about this project got me thinking about the transformation we receive through Christ’s dying for the sake of all Creation that eradicates the ugliness of sin within ourselves, turning us into a new Creation in Christ. Martin Luther describes this as “the Happy Exchange”, in which we exchange our sins for all of the beauty, love, holiness, righteousness and eternal life that belongs to Christ. Christ is ours and we are Christ’s!

What an amazing affirmation of how deeply God loves us, that Christ takes on our sins so that we may be reconciled to God through Christ’s death and Resurrection. Good news indeed!!! But in that exchange, God expects us to not simply bask in the glory of our newly sainted selves. There is so much work to be done in our hurting world and God has equipped us to work together as individuals, and as community to help in whatever way we can, be it time, talent or treasure. Jesus, the Living Word of God has the power to set us free and to empower us to work for the healing of creation and our neighbors.

On those days where you feel like the current state of my poor, beaten up, pothole filled driveway, be reminded of how out of an unimaginable love for you God sent Christ to die for you, and through that “happy exchange” your sins will be swapped out for the glorious promise of eternal life. Lean into the hope that whatever pothole of life you are driving through at the moment, your path to eternity has been paved in the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus.

God’s Peace to you and all you hold dear,

Pastor Julie