The Plumb Line

Have you ever hung wallpaper? The first step (after you have finished the grueling task of removing the old wallpaper and prepping the wall) is to establish the "plumb" ... that is, the straight line that will align the edge of that first strip of paper. You use a plumb line -- a long line that has a weight at one end.



You hold the string (which is often coated with brilliantly colored chalk) near the ceiling and let the weight drop to the floor... flick the chalk line against the wall, and you have a mark of what is "true plumb" ... that is, aligned straight up from the center of gravity. Especially in houses that have been around for a while (like mine, built in 1950 or so) the walls may have moved far from "true" plumb. In extreme cases the shift may be so significant that you may decide to avoid wallpaper with vertical patterns because the disparity between what the line of the wall offers and what is "true plumb" is so great that it makes folks dizzy to be in the room.

Plumb must also be determined when brick-layers construct or repair foundations:

By determining plumb you can see which areas of the wall must be adjusted or built up. In extreme cases demolition may be called for. I recall one foundation repair in my own home where the contractor built a new, plumb wall butting up against the old wall...and then once the new wall was in place, the old faulty wall was removed.


The Old Testament reading for this week speaks about the Word of God in terms of a plumb line.

Amos 7:7-9
This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand.

And the LORD said to me, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A plumb line." Then the Lord said, "See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword."

If the priorities and values that determine your choices are held up to teachings that sprout directly from God (true plumb) is there a disparity? This may be particularly visible when a group (a society, a community, a family, or a congregation) looks at the activities of the last month or year. How have we begun to "lean" one way or another?




How would the Master Craftsman encourage you to make some adjustments so that the flow of all that you do is more clearly in "plumb"?

Weekly readings

I encourage you to participate in the unfolding of the Word of God amongst God's people by reading the lectionary. The Vanderbilt Divinity Library has revised its site for the weekly readings, and now offers artwork and prayers to enhance reflection and contemplation. I have added a link to the right, as well as in the body of today's posting.

It may take some time to process the "Good News" revealed in this week's readings ... we hear of bloody sacrifices, including the beheading of John the Baptist. One commentator ends his reflection on the readings saying that although he knows that the lessons drive home the point of sacrificial life for the Christian, he wouldn't place the picture of John's beheading on a recruitment poster for the church.

Most of us will, thankfully, live out our lives protected from such violent drama, even persecution and martyrdom. However, we will certainly face challenges and road blocks as we live, move, and serve as disciples. I recall many conversations about church work where the participants ask: How will we accomplish the tasks before us? That is where we serve each other best by reminding one another that Christ is Risen and that all that is DEATH has no final say in what we are to do! If the intention of God to intersect human history could not be defeated by the awful antics of Herod and those like him, then surely God's mysterious plan (read Ephesians 1) won't be undermined by whatever difficulties you or I face this week.

What are some of the acts of truth, justice and mercy that you can offer that express God's love? Where do you see the flow of Divine Mystery gathering all things in -- the beauty of oneness even in the midst of the world's brokenness?