Amos 9:9

"For lo, I will command and shake the house of Israel among all the nations as one shakes with a sieve . . ."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

There are lots of experiences or events that can shake us up, some quite badly. Where I live we get earthquakes every now and again. It's quite a strange, and very disorienting, feeling when truly everything is shaking.

All sorts of things can shake us up—the  death of spouse or partner, or of a dear friend or beloved leader. The unexpected loss of a job can be deeply shaking, as can news that we, or someone we love, is critically ill. A disappointment of our hopes can shake us.

Historic events, too—the 9/11 attacks or Hurricane Katrina or a tsunami--can shake us and terrify us.

I once heard an Irish priest say, "God shakes the earth from time to time so that those who are alive at the time may discover what cannot be shaken." When we are shaken, whether in our personal lives or as a society, we often turn to the church. Almost instinctively, we seek for what cannot be shaken.

While we wish "times of shaking" on no one, it does seem true that when such times come, as they will, they can be something more than only terrifying. They can also be revealing. They reveal to us what truly matters. They reveal what cannot be shaken. And that can be a wonderful thing.

Prayer

Often, Holy One, we see only the loss and danger in shaking experiences. Give us eyes for the truths revealed to us and for us in the midst of such difficult times, and place us on your firm foundation. Amen.

About the Author Anthony B. Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His newest book is Called to Lead: Paul's Letters to Timothy for a New Day, and he is also the author of the just-published Book of Exodus: A God is still speaking Bible Study. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts at www.anthonybrobinson.com by clicking on Weekly Reading.