How do you react when things aren’t fair? For that matter, how do we know if things are or are not fair? Do children on the playground have an innate understanding of what is fair?
To be honest, trying to be fair has always been a goal of mine. We have four children and eight grandchildren and my wife and I often worry about being fair when doing something for one of these loved ones – will the others perceive our actions as being fair? Today’s Daily Readings clearly speak to this issue from God’s perspective rather than from the world’s viewpoint.
To begin our analysis of determining what is or is not fair, it is crucial that we establish the ground rules. The first reading from the 55th chapter of Isaiah holds the key. Here we are reminded that our Lord is a God of mercy who is generous and forgiving. Without losing sight of that fact, we are then reminded that God’s thoughts and His ways are far beyond our ability to fully grasp. God’s thoughts and ways are truly beyond anything we could ever hope to fully understand. Starting from this foundation certainly makes my life easier to navigate. For as I better grasp the obvious fact that my Lord who perfectly created the heavens and the earth is literally beyond anything I could ever imagine, then I can be free to accept life as it comes. While I have an obligation to pursue everything that God has laid out for me, I need not worry about how the world might judge the fairness of my actions. I need only to seek to please God and to try to follow his directives for my life.
Psalm 145 further reinforces this truth by reminding us that God’s “greatness is unsearchable!” He is, “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. The Lord is good to all and compassionate toward all his works.” Our incredible God is amazingly “near to all who call upon him.” So as long as we continually seek Him, we do not have to worry about whether the world will judge us on its fairness scale – for the condition of our heart in God’s eyes is the only fairness goal we need to seek. Today’s second reading from the first chapter of Philippians reminds us that we need only to conduct ourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Jesus clearly understands the way the world thinks. Mankind has continually failed to understand the concept of being fair. While we can find countless teachings on how to live our lives, (e.g. the love chapter in 1st Corinthians 13), today’s Gospel found in Matthew 20 clearly addresses the typical line of thought demonstrating the world’s understanding of what is fair. While it is easy to understand that it doesn’t seem fair for a worker working all day to receive the same compensation as the one who only works an hour, Jesus teaches us in this example that the landowner did not cheat anyone, but rather he was simply being generous. The parable could end with this lesson on giving lavishly, but it does not end there, rather it provides us a crucial understanding of grace and redemption. As a fallen man, I have lived too much of my life following sinful thoughts, words and actions. In this story God has left no doubt that He views fairness through a heart lens. I can confidently run to my Savior, knowing it is not too late to bask in His incredible love and mercy. What is important is turning to Jesus, no matter when we make that choice or what the world may think of our choice.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the incredible wisdom you provide throughout your Word. Help us to better grasp how high your ways and thoughts are above ours so that we can confidently seek your truth in every moment of our life. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen
Larry Hopp
As I enter my second retirement, I can only express my deep appreciation to God for the opportunity to touch the lives of the amazing students here at Creighton. After 40 years as a civil engineer in the construction industry, I felt that I had completed my life’s work. God, however had a different plan – a MUCH BETTER plan. He opened a door to Creighton University and its Energy Technology Program which I would never have imagined. An opportunity to teach and lead a program that has proven to be some of the most rewarding and satisfying work of my life.
That process has only further refined my total trust & faith in following God and seeking Jesus with all my heart. His plans are always so much better than anything I could have ever imagined.
But of course work could never be the top priority of my life. Over the years, I have been engaged with a truly amazing church with an un-apologetic commitment to Jesus that has changed my life and future forever. My wife Linda and I have four children, 4 grandchildren and 5 foster “grandchildren” that have all been such a daily blessing in so many ways.
I am looking forward to see what God has in mind for this next stage of my life.
It is not surprising that God provides these reflection opportunities with the precise readings that I need to hear at that specific time. Spending time in prayer as I write & rewrite each Daily Reflection opportunity is truly a blessing. My prayer is that God can use these thoughts to bless you as well.
