Perks, Loyalty Points, and...What are you drinking?

Psalm 138 New English Translation
I will give you thanks with all my heart;
before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you.
I will bow down toward your holy temple,
and give thanks to your name,
because of your loyal love and faithfulness,
for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky.
When I cried out for help, you answered me.
You made me bold and energized me.
Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O Lord,
when they hear the words you speak.
Let them sing about the Lord’s deeds,
for the Lord’s splendor is magnificent.
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks after the lowly,
and from far away humbles the proud.
Even when I must walk in the midst of danger, you revive me.
You oppose my angry enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.
The Lord avenges me.
O Lord, your loyal love endures.
Do not abandon those whom you have made.

Reflection

     I noticed this morning that my loyalty rewards have built up to the point where after this month's shipment, I will be able to get a whole jar of matcha for free! A matcha latte has been my regular morning drink for many months. (Matcha is a powder made from green tea leaves.) We settled on this small brand from a shop in Pittsburgh. I didn't choose it because I would earn "leaves," but it sure is a nice perk. Perhaps you have a favorite brand or shop that you enjoy the bonuses from loyalty points.

     Loyalty in this transactional and capitalist society typically is associated with what is earned or accrued over time while being a patron, member, or shopper. Yet, we always know that there are other options. Other businesses might have something we like better, or the rewards might be better.

     It is not too much of a surprise that there are "influencers" who show what they are into on social media and their followers check it out or feverishly try to replicate the recipe. The influencers earn a ton of money in kick backs. They cash in on accumulating a loyal base.

     I thought of all these things when reading the Psalm for today. God's loyal love is for us. Loyalty is very different to the Creator. God does not have a hard time focusing on us. Yes, it is different and beautiful when you combine loyalty and love. While we go from one thing to the next, God is abiding and steadfast. Notice also that God's loyal love is not something that we have accrued over time. No transactions here. It is all about relationship and caring for us. Even though many of us might have loyal friends, spouses or family members that stick with us through the best and worst of times, we still have a hard time fully getting why the One so powerful, rich, and influencing would care about us. It would be like our favorite media person looking into the camera and singling one of us out. We don't get it. The last verse of the Psalm portrays this to almost comic perfection. After all the verses of gratitude and praise, the tone takes a sudden twist like a shift of attention. The Psalmist has a moment of fearful uncertainty. What if I have perceived God's loyalty wrong? God could be too much like us. Even in the midst of loving a regular favorite drink, we see someone else's and ask them, "What are you drinking?" No, God will not abandon us. God is loyal with us even when we are not very lovingly loyal with God.

God teach us your constancy with those that are in our care and influence. Guide us to be dependably loving. Show us your Way of abiding this day and always! Amen.