work out into the world

Monday May 6^th, Revelation 22: On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.  God’s vision for this place called earth is one of wholeness and healing.  In the beginning was one tree of life for the family of God consisting of the first humans.  Now as the family of God has grown into many tribes and nations, there are trees for every tribe and nation and the leaves are for the healing of the nations.  Healing for what it is that ails that nation perhaps, but more importantly, for the healing that is needed between nations and tribes and factions and religions and races, etc. One could also conclude that they would be for the healing between the nations.  From what do we need healing?  One of the first tasks in any healing process is diagnosis.  Perhaps what the church should first be about is diagnosis and healing. All too often we find the big business of the church hung up on justification and self-preservation.  In the process we have stagnated and are dying.  We as the people of God are called into conversation as to what would be the most healing for all of humanity, especially the least, lost and lonely.  We often get caught up in the conversation about what would be best for our church, our community, or our nation and forget God’s larger vision.  We may not be able to invoke peace in the Middle East, but we can start with how we talk to, and deal with one another.  Love God and Love others sums up all of scripture.  Start on your inside and work out into the world.