The Road to Renewal

Isaiah was a prophet in turbulent times--political intrigue--good and bad leaders--wide gaps between the very wealthy and the very poor--wars and rumors of wars--many types of religious beliefs and cults of worship. Written in three different time periods, one of aggression and destruction, one of exile and one of returning, Isaiah seeks to renew a Jewish community.

"In a chaotic situation in which people were tempted to throw out all forms of the past or to cling mindlessly to tradition out of fear of change, it was terribly important to maintain a comprehensive vision of reality ordered around one life-giving Center -- the Center that is the God who was present with the people." (Interpretation, Isaiah 40-66, Paul Hanson, page 7)

1. LISTEN: Isaiah 35:5-8, 40:1-5, 57:14-15, 62:10-12

The energy in these passages is contagious. Doing something frequently gives a sense of hope and accomplishment. Read aloud and notice all the verbs.

What pictures came in your mind as you listened to these passages? Did you hear a call to action? To get involved? What kind of road did you see? Where does it lead? Who will be on it? Where will God be?

This section of Isaiah is written to folk who have returned from exile and found that the homecoming was difficult. They had traveled far, worked so hard and believed so long, hope was running out. Life was not what they thought it would be. Read these passages for the signs of hope that are here. Notice the promise of light penetrating the darkness. Consider 61:1-6 and Luke 4:14-30.

Could the sense of hopelessness have come because they expected immediate results and little difficulty? Did they have a different idea about the people who would be on the highway, instead of broken-hearted captives and dispirited prisoners? Why do you think Jesus choose this passage for his hometown sermon?

Burn out is rampart in most service institutions. Hopelessness and frustration and anger are revealed each day in our newspapers. We have worked so hard and traveled so far. Our churches are not growing in proportion to our efforts. Many, frustrated with the church, are working with peace and justice issues through other groups. And yet the challenge of "clearing the highway" remains. From deep within ourselves comes the desire to make a difference. Isaiah's message of light in the darkness and a vision of the kingdom comes at the right time.

Look at your own activities. How are they affecting your faith journey? Are you busy clearing and building to fill a spiritual void in your life? Does being busy feed your need to feel important and significant? Where has your response of service to God and others gotten lost in busyness?

4. ACT: Read Isaiah 61:10 and Isaiah 62:4

These two selections tucked in the middle of our readings alert us to a vital part of our journey, rejoicing in God and being aware of God's delight in each of us! This awareness sometimes comes in our activity and sometimes in our moments of prayer.

Elizabeth O'Connor reminds us in her book Journey Inward, Journey Outward that the road to renewal is a both/and activity. The first engagement is with ones self, the second engagement is with God, the third aspect of the inward journey is the engagement with others. Time spent in quiet reflection, prayer and journaling helps us to be more productive rather than less, more focused, less fractured, more loving to those on the road with us.

"Once faith is sure of its grounding in the one true God, it is able to address every aspect of life boldly, freshly and courageously." (Interpretation, pg 9).

• What action needs renewal in your life?

Readings:

• Interpretation, Isaiah 40-66, Paul D. Hanson, John Knox Press, 1995.
• Journey Inward, Journey Outward, Elizabeth O'Connor, 1968.
  Available from Faith At Work.
  (Check out an interview with Elizabeth O'Connor and Faith At Work magazine entitled, The Two-Fold Journey)
• Being God's Partner, Rabbi Salkin, Jewish Lights Publisher, 1997.
• Bible Basics for the next generation, by Nancy Boyle, 1999 - a collection of Nancy Boyle's relational bible studies (1995-1999).

Nancy Boyle is a workshop leader, teacher and Christian Education Consultant living in Columbia SC.