Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
To be honest, I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired by the word messenger. Messengers seem relegated to days long ago–before telephones, before email, before the Facebook Messenger app. There’s always John the Baptist, I guess. But that was yesterday’s sermon.
At dinner tonight, I asked the boys if anything came to mind when I said the word messenger. Keaton immediately responded pigeon. Aidan mentioned Hedwig, Harry Potter’s owl. I find it curious that it was animal messengers that came to mind for both of them. I think about how the beloved animals in my life (precious pets throughout the years) have communicated love and grace to me. That’s probably not as exciting as a carrier pigeon landing with an urgent message, but I’ll take it.
The psalmist says to God, you make the winds your messengers (Psalm 104:4). What can’t God use to proclaim the good news? I love walks in the woods and on our gravel road, because I look forward to God speaking through the trees, the birds, the orderly rows of corn, and the inspiring-in-their-unruliness wildflowers. Messengers.
Logan stayed at the table after the others had left. Mom, he said, you have three energetic and funny sons. I hope you’re grateful for them.
A messenger.
Thank God.
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Open our ears to receive the messages you send us. Amen.