From: Tim Teal
In our catechesis lessons we’ve talked about how the narrative we believe gives us an identity within that narrative, and therefore a purpose and actions to follow.
Think about Micah's narrative: from the outside, his country was being invaded and his leaders were only in it for themselves. But the narrative Micah knew came from long ago: that God had called Israel to be his people. If they obeyed him, they would be blessed and be a blessing to the world. If they disobeyed, God would bring judgement and punishment, but then mercy and restoration.
Given that narrative, the situation Micah found himself in made perfect sense. Israel had ignored God, and God was bringing judgement. And there was hope promised on the other end.
His identity? A sinner in a nation that had abandoned God, but whom God had promised to restore.
His purpose and actions? Be faithful (which he had done by prophesying, recorded in the rest of the book)... and wait for the Lord.
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. Micah 7.7-9
Micah had it a lot harder than we do. He only had promises to hold onto, and while we may see only dimly, he saw even less. Jesus and the Church were still in his future. And yet he could sit in the middle of the story and believe. How crazy is that?
A Massachusetts native, I live in Brighton with my awesome wife, Jess. We run a lot, love to travel, and cook new recipes several times a week.