God.

There are so many words.

And we aren’t sure which ones to trust.

We listen uncritically to the words that support what we believe, unwilling to consider the motives behind them.

We read stories that tug at our hearts, unaware that they are created by human and machine to play our hearts.

We aren’t sure who we can trust, so we waver between trusting our gut and feeling constantly gutted by sadness and betrayal.

When the writer says, “Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them”, we struggle.

When the writer says, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple”, we discuss and distrust the ones doing the unfolding. Or we take their word for it.

And, in truth, we forget to listen for you.

For your word, for your illumination, for your direction, for your poking and prodding and clarifying and power.

Because in all the words, we forget that what really matters is the voice speaking them. And we want to hear your voice.

Through Christ our Lord,

Amen

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A reflection on Psalm 119: 129-136