The former cringing

For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Kime's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and blog content. For full-text access to all articles, subscribe to the Century.

In my Century lectionary column for this week, I focused on the reading from Isaiah 65. It’s a text I find baffling, frustrating and hopeful. If space were limitless, here are some other things I might have included:

• • It’s tempting to live in the future instead of now—not just for individuals but also for communities. In the church, we have a tendency to lean too far forward and wring our hands: What’s going to happen? What will the church look like in 20 or 50 years? This Tom Long Century column from last year is an excellent warning against “futuring”—and a challenge to stand sturdily in faith and wonderment at what God is doing/going to do through us.