The sixth day of Lent: Snakes

Monday is my day off and with the week I have ahead I hope my readers won’t mind if I just quote from a sermon today by my contemporary spiritual heroine, Nadia Bolz-Weber. She is contemplating snakes…

“When Adam and Eve were in the garden we are told they were naked and unashamed… until they listened to a snake – until they listened to a voice other than God’s tell them who they were and what they really needed. And then they believed that voice more than they believed God’s voice– and they went for it, they clicked on the link, so to speak - - and as a result, they were filled with shame for the very first time and tried to hide from God, and then God calls out and says maybe you are sitting here today having listened to a voice other than God’s. 

And maybe the story it told you is so familiar that you think it’s the truth.  

But consider that maybe you’ve been listening to the wrong voices all along. Listen and maybe you can hear God saying, Wait. Who told you you were naked? Who told you that you have to lie to be loved? Who told you your body is not beautiful? Who told you that your only value is in your excellence? Who told you that what you have done (good or bad) is actually who you are?  Who told you that?  My money is on the snake. And he’s a damned liar.  Always has been.

Maybe you are sitting here today having listened to a voice other than God’s.  And maybe the story it told you is so familiar that you think it’s the truth. 

So when snakes start talking blasphemy, don’t listen. You don’t have to show up with everything you need. The light of Christ is bright enough. And always has been.”

My question this Monday is who is your snake and will you listen to it?