What Just Happened?

As you can tell, I'm not so good at this blogging thing. Sometimes I run out of time, or I forget, or I simply don't feel like I have anything to say. But today I don't care about whether I have time, because I have something to say...well something to process at least. Something that has struck me, something I know has probably struck you, too. I see it on Facebook posts. The questions of "why?" and "how could she?" I'm talking about the death (at this point, suspected murder) of three year old Emiliano Terry.

Normally I wouldn't try to process my own thoughts and questions in such a public way, but then I know that so many of us are hurting and confused, too. Please keep in mind that these are the thoughts that I have, the tensions I am trying to make sense of...as a person, as a Christian and as a Pastor. These three categories don't always want to align, and herein lies an added struggle. Please also keep in mind that my thoughts might not agree with yours. That's okay. I just want us to know that it's okay to struggle with these tragic situations and the fears and questions they raise. I think it's important as members of a Christian community (yes, I'm assuming that if someone reads this you are likely connected to Faith UMC in some way) that we struggle with these challenges together. So if you are moved to leave comments, leave comments. Just make sure that the comments will engage and build up our conversation, rather than stopping it. Thank you!

Here goes: The news first broke on Sunday evening, at least that's when I first heard about it. I was settling in after a busy day. All I wanted was some time for mindless TV before another week started again in the morning. So I admit that when the "Breaking News" screen flashed up, I groaned. I'm so used to "breaking news" that really isn't so urgent. But then the face of a small child took over my screen. Emiliano Terry. Supposedly disappeared from a park, his five year old brother reported seeing him get into a car. My heart sunk and my stomach twisted. All I could think about was the guilt and terror that must be consuming the mother. My thoughts went to all the young families I know and I imagined the anxiety this must be causing to them, especially. I don't remember any questions sinking in, no 'whys?' came to mind. Just a heavy sadness. I said a prayer, for the boy, for the family, for whoever might have taken him, for a happy resolution.

We know now that this happy end wouldn't come. I imagine many of us knew it from the first flash of little Emiliano's face. We dared to hope, but braced for the worst. We've seen this happen too many times. Then the news of a body, found in trash bags at a garbage dump. More prayers, more sadness, more anger. This is when the "whys?" started to kick in. Why? Why did someone do this? How could they? Then came the news that the mother, the heartbroken mother heard on 911 tapes reporting her missing son, now she is the one being held as a suspect. Words escape me. My head shakes in disbelief, in horror and a heavy heartache.

But this morning I saw people's responses. Not surprising. I've seen them before, the outrage, the call for vengeance. The call that the mother be disposed of like she did to her child. Now my heart breaks for us all. I understand the anger. Yet something inside me resists it. Maybe it's because I've learned that the mother is only 20 years old and has 3 children. The news reports that she spent time in foster care and has previously made calls to family support services for help. I already know how some people might respond. Some will say, "she should have gotten help" or "she shouldn't have had so many kids" or "I've been through worse and haven't killed anyone." etc etc etc.

I do not and would not condone what she did. I imagine she was desperate and perhaps saw this as her only solution, and that breaks my heart for two reasons. First, what she is suspected of doing to her child makes me sick and is unthinkable. There aren't words, there can be no justification. We know that. And that is why I fully expect that she faces judgement, not only from our legal system, but from God. I pray for a judgment that is just, although I can honestly tell you that I'm not sure what that should look like. I pray, too, to find forgiveness, but know that forgiveness is not forgetfulness. Forgiveness does not mean excusing an action, letting it go, enabling someone in unhealthy ways. Instead, forgiveness releases us from being consumed again by the action. In this case, forgiveness frees us from taking on the violence that was shown to this child, we don't need to let the violence have the final word in our life, too. God's justice will be the final Word.

But my heart also breaks for the brokenness that must have contributed to this horrific action. Maybe it was mental illness, maybe it was a system that failed her early on that left her desperate. Maybe there is no reason: maybe she wasn't overwhelmed or alone or impoverished or desperate, maybe evil was just victorious on this day. All I can say is that we are still a broken people. I suspect that doesn't make us feel any better about it. But my hope is that God's judgment will come to put things right. To judge a system (and people) that hasn't provide for all God's children the way God calls it (us) to. To judge the forces of evil and violence and hatred and poverty and broken relationships, so that God might finally and fully be victorious. That God's Kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven.

I still have questions, anger, sadness, confusion. I still wonder how it could have happened. I still wonder at the sad irony of this news breaking when just that morning in worship we celebrated "Christ the King" Sunday. We wonder where God was in this, "where was God's rule then?" we ask. I don't have answers. I just try to take solace and hope in knowing a better day is coming. It is already on its way. It may not have shown on Sunday, but maybe it will tomorrow. In the meantime, I believe God cries with us, mourns with us, is angry along with us. God hurts at our brokenness, God hates the evil that pervades this creation. God does, God can, God will overcome it. In the meantime, we struggle on together, we hope together, we live together into this hope.

So I end by offering a prayer, one that I hope captures our true emotions and reactions; one that I hope will move us not towards understanding, but towards forgiveness, hopefulness, and continued faithfulness.
     Lord, we are confused and angry and hurt. We want vengeance, but we ask that you help us forgive. Even when we don't want to forgive, when it is easier to call for violence in return, we ask that you release our grasp. Help us to hold onto You, instead. We pray for justice. We pray that You know what that justice and judgement look like when we don't. Hear our prayers, Lord and cradle little Emiliano in Your arms now. May his two brothers be loved and cared for in protective custody. Lord, for those of us who aren't quite ready to pray for Your care to be on the mother in this case, work on our hearts as You work on hers to offer us all Your love. Don't leave us, Lord, we are struggling and all we have is to call on Your name. So hear us, we pray. In the strong name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Running the Race

Sunday July 29, 2012

What happened in worship: We commissioned the mission team, sending them off to Kentucky with a blessing. Our children helped to bless our "Giving Dolls" before they set off on their adventure, too. Our child who had the box this week tried to stump me by bringing in a remote control helicopter (well...that's what I call it, it has a special name) He told us that when the helicopter gets out of range from the remote it crashes, and that was our lesson today, that the same thing happens to us when we get out of range from God.

Text: Hebrews 12:1-3; Isaiah 50: 4
Sermon: "Running the Race"

Google Image from Babler State Park in Wildwood, MO

            If you were here last week, you may remember just how much I love the Olympics.  Hopefully you also recall how I suggested that we just might glimpse God’s glory on earth in the celebration of the opening ceremonies. Particularly in the community that is represented in the parade of nations. Well, today’s passage is part of its parade of nations, so to speak. The verses we just heard from Hebrews is part of a larger passage, one that culminates with Jesus as the exemplary model of faith. However, just before this, beginning in chapter 11, we are reminded of other faith heroes as the author tells the story of our faith fathers and mothers. Or, in keeping with the Olympic theme, the author tells the story of each athlete, highlighting their faithfulness by telling of the trials and suffering they overcame. It is as if the announcer is introducing each athlete as they march into Olympic Stadium.  A who’s who parade of Christian athletes who endured their own race. Beginning with Abel’s faithful sacrifice that cost him his life. Then Noah, who built an ark and endured the flood which destroyed all else. Then Abraham and Sarah make an appearance, the father and mother of Israel, who suffered childlessness until old age. Moses makes an appearance, as the announcer recalls how he led the Israelites out of slavery, only to endure years in the wilderness, never to make it to the promised land. Several prophets come next, enduring the scorn of entire nations. Then the announcer welcomes in all those who were martyred for their faith, those who literally endured death for their faith. Finally, of course, we come to where our reading began today in chapter 12, with the announcement of the host nation, with the example of Jesus, our Lord and Savior and King, who only came to that honor after taking on the weakness of human flesh, and enduring temptation, rejection and disgrace. Who came to sit at the right hand of the throne of God only by enduring the worst humiliation and pain, as he faced death on the cross.

            Yes, there you have it, our very own parade of nations. A witness so great that the author expects that this reminder of those who have gone before, will be a source of encouragement to us today. That we might be inspired by the faithful endurance of our ancestors. Verse three actually calls us to “consider this, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” But, I wonder about these words. It seems to me, that sometimes hearing what other people have accomplished only leaves me incredulous. I might be inspired, but I might also be overwhelmed by the accomplishment that I am left wondering how they did it, not how I might do it too. Or better yet, this list of faithful ancestors almost leaves me tired just thinking about it.

           Sort of the reaction that I had two wonderful friends of mine in Atlanta. They were a husband and wife raising three young children, while both attended seminary full time. The husband also pastored a church that was an hour drive each way from school. It made me tired just thinking about it.

            It’s the same reaction I have when I think of my own dad who worked two or three jobs for most of my life to support our family. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

            Or, having heard other people’s stories, even some of your stories. Stories of brokenness and recovery. Of loss and struggle, of single parenthood and caregiving. Stories of burdens overcome. I am in awe of the perseverance, the faith that it surely takes to press on, the love, the dedication, the whole-hearted effort. But often times, it still makes me tired just thinking about it!

            Which is why I have always wondered how recalling such stories of struggle, of challenge and suffering and endurance would possibly help me from getting tired and losing heart.You see, when we remember that the same oppression and suffering and injustice that plague us, plagued our ancestors, it is easy to become discouraged, to be overwhelmed the struggles ahead when it seems nothing is changing for the better. We can get worn out by the race that lies ahead.

            But this passage calls us to the very opposite. This passage calls us to remember the endurance of others, not to be tired just thinking about it, but so that we may not grow weary and lose heart. For this passage calls us to consider Jesus. It does not say fix your eyes on the opposition Jesus faced, or on the struggle of the witnesses around us. It calls us to consider the witnesses themselves, to consider Jesus himself. We are called to fix our eyes on the finish line, not on the race. Sure, you can’t see the finish line without seeing the race, too. Just like we can’t focus on Jesus without remembering the suffering. But, this passage calls our attention to Jesus, to the finish line, because that is our hope for perseverance. That is what keeps us going when we are tired just thinking about it.

            We fix our gaze on Jesus because He is the finish line. He is the pioneer, the trailblazer, of our faith. He was the first to finish the race, to achieve perfection and to sit in honor at the right hand of God’s throne. In paving the way, conquering death for us all, Jesus broke through the finisher’s tape, opening the way for all believers to come behind Him and achieve victory, too. Jesus opened the way for us to all glimpse the glory. So we focus on Jesus to be renewed in faith, confident that because of Him, we have a race that will end, and will assuredly end in victory!

            The most glorious thing about this victory, is that we can all achieve it. That is why we have such a great cloud of witnesses, instead of a single victor cheering us on. So many others have gone before us. Faithful witnesses from Scripture, from history, from this community, from this congregation, from our own loved ones. All gathered to cheer us on in support of our race.  Not just cheering on the one that has the best chance of winning, or the hometown hero, or the underdog. For as Christians, we all have the same guarantee of victory if we continue in faith. So the witnesses flank the road all around us. Ready to uplift us with an encouraging word, or to share their own story as a measure of solidarity.

            How do we persevere then in this race that lies before us? How do we lay aside what hinders us and put away our sin? One Ocean Insight that our children learned at Vacation Bible School answers this question for us. We persevere by not relying on our own understanding. As Psalm 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”And so, we fix our eyes on Jesus and consider Him.

            Or as we heard earlier from Isaiah, sometimes we persevere because someone else knows has the word that will sustain us when we are weary. It’s no surprise, if we can’t glimpse the glory alone, we sure can’t get there alone either! As the stories of the witnesses remind us, faith takes endurance. Sometimes it takes so much endurance that it makes us tired just thinking about it. Like when trauma blows us off course, or comes like a roadblock in our lives. Or when sin and evil become hurdles that trip us up. It is in these moments especially that we remember that we don’t run alone. It’s like the poem, “Footprints in the sand” when the man talking to God looks back at his life and asks why there are only one set of footprints during the most difficult days and God responds that it was during those times that instead of walking beside the man, he picked him up and carried him.

            That is what we do for one another, too. Like at this year’s state track and field meet when a distance runner’s endurance gave out 20 yards from the finish line. An opponent behind her, wrapped her arm around the girl’s shoulders hoisting the fallen runner as they walked together across the finish line. We may not always be literally carrying one another, but we do support each other in so many ways. With meals, cards and visits during a difficult time. Today we supported our mission team in hopes of adding to their endurance as we sent them off with a blessing. With generosity and care, with presence and prayer we support one another as we all seek to endure the race before us. In fact, whether we lift up each other by name or not, we support one another every week when we pray the Lord’s prayer. For, we don’t pray, “my father” and we don’t ask for “my daily bread, or for forgiveness of my sins, or for personal deliverance from evil.” Instead, we pray to “our Father,” asking for OUR forgiveness, for OUR protection, for OUR provision. Even if we mutter this prayer in our rooms alone, still we offer it on behalf of every believer running the same race. We offer it even for those who are too tired or hurt or lost to pray this prayer for themselves. In that prayer, we truly fix our eyes on God. In that prayer we direct everyone else to consider the finish line of God’s glorious kingdom that Jesus made open to us.

            So even when just thinking about the race before us makes us tired, we can offer the old familiar prayer to persevere in faith. We can fix our gaze on Jesus and listen to the roar of the witnesses cheering us on, as we endure the road ahead together. 

A Glimpse of Glory

Sunday July 22, 2012

Text: Revelation 7: 9-17

Sermon: "A Glimpse of Glory"

Photo: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/2012-london-olympics-opening-ceremony-the-highlights-2012287

Ahh the book of Revelation. It’s one that sometimes leaves people unsure of what they just read, or even frightened by it. This book, like any apocalypse, often brings out curiosity about the end of days. But at the heart of it, this is a book of hope, a book of victory for God and all believers. Particularly the passage we just heard Nancy read for us this morning. You see, this book was written at a time when Christians were feeling threatened. Whether by the empire or just a few vocal nay-sayers, these early Christians faced persecution, at times, even violence or martyrdom as they faced death for their beliefs. In light of all this tension and fear, John’s vision of life in God’s kingdom was a source of hope. It was a reminder of the eternal blessing that awaited them. A reminder that helped people to push through, to persevere in their faith. If you will, think of it as spiritual Gatorade for tired Christians.  In the midst of darkness, a ray of light; a vision of eternal life with God. A vision of life free from all pain and sorrow, free of hunger or thirst, free of oppression and fear. This, friends, is a glimpse into glory. Not just glory for those long-ago Christians, but for us too. This is the future for all Christians, for all who believe in Christ and live their lives following Jesus. This is the vision for us, it is our glimpse into glory.

            We know, however, that it’s not the only glimpse into “glory” that we get. No, we are surrounded by different stories of glory, stories of talent, wealth and success. In the coming weeks, we are especially sure to be bombarded by images of glory as the Olympic Games are set to get underway. As new records are set, as obstacles are overcome and as Olympic dreams come true, we will certainly hear about the glory of it all. About the glory of Olympic victory, of being the best in the world. I don’t say this to downgrade the accomplishment of the athletes. In fact, I love the Olympics. I am often inspired by the athletes, by their stories and how they cultivate their God given talents. By how often they use their gifts not just to compete, but to spread a good word or example to others. I only bring this up today to call our attention to the many different images of glory. Because these images don’t always match up. Like victory that comes unfairly or at the expense of others. But sometimes, these do line up.

            Today, instead of talking about all the ways that earthly glory falls short of God’s eternal glory, I thought it might be nice to see where they do line up. Besides, I still plan on watching the Olympics, so I don’t want to ruin them for me or you! Fortunately, one of the best places to glimpse God’s glory on earth is coming up. I am convinced that God’s glory just might be paralleled in the opening ceremony, and not just because the World Record Academy described Beijing’s opening ceremony four years ago as “seemingly made in heaven”. It’s much more than the splendor. It’s seeing the host nation pull out all the stops to create an unforgettable welcome, full of wonder and imagination. It’s the whole celebratory and joyous atmosphere. When all of the athletes are already feeling victorious for having made it to the Olympics. But, for me, to really glimpse the glory of the moment, you have to see the parade of nations. The time when thousands of athletes from all around the world march into the Olympic stadium, waving furiously and greeting one another happily. Ready to put aside competition and animosity, to become neighbors celebrating together.  Eventually those thousands of athletes from over 200 nations will intermingle, blurring into what can only be called a “great multitude…from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev. 7:9). That, is the true glory, the coming together of all people for one joyous day.

            That is the same scene that unfolds In John’s vision of the kingdom of God. A multitude of all people from all backgrounds celebrate God’s victory together, worshipping God in a harmony with one another. The multitude finds shelter together, is shepherded together, and finds living water together. Not just for one day, but for all eternity. To glimpse the glory, then, is to imagine the majesty of the opening ceremony ten times over, forever and ever.

            Can you even imagine it? As I thought about this myself, I realized that my image of God’s kingdom is always so full of light, angels, clouds and all things good, but it’s never full of people. Maybe a few loved ones, but never a multitude. Most of the images of heaven or the afterlife that I’ve ever seen are the same way. It’s beautiful and majestic, but dare I say, lonely? You may imagine something different or have seen different images of heaven. Even John’s vision which is spelled out for us in Revelation can be hard to imagine, until we see it. But there is one thing that John does not leave up to our imaginations, the true glimpse of glory is one that is shared by all believers.

            Friends, that’s the thing about real glory, it is always shared.

            Glory escapes us when we seek it alone. Not just when we seek it without God, for we already know that the satisfaction of that glory never lasts. But glory escapes us when we seek it individually. For God created us to be a community of believers. To be many members, but of the same body of Christ.

            This is something that our children learned this week at Vacation Bible School. When we talked about how scuba diving starts with a diving guide. Just as diving into faith begins when we first depend on God and choose to follow Jesus as our guide, instead of going it alone. Then we talked about how diving always requires a diving buddy. In the same way, diving deep in faith requires us to dare to care about others. Deep faith grows when we claim Jesus, telling others about Him too. Only then can the actions that we take come together to change the world and move it closer to God’s glory.

            Of course, our divers know that individual preparation goes into it, just as the Olympic athletes needed to do their own training, but we know that the moment of true celebration and glory is shared. That is why the first disciples were commissioned to go together to tell the Good News to all the nations, so that one day all those nations could gather together again to celebrate God’s glory. It is what our children did this morning when they gathered together again to celebrate the week and to share with us all their experience with God. See how we can only glimpse the glory together?

            I realize that this might not seem like good news to everyone. Maybe you’re shy and introverted, people tire you out. Maybe you’re independent, you think you’re strong enough not to need others, or you don’t want to burden others. Maybe you’ve been disappointed or hurt by people, you’re not eager to go down that road again. Maybe you are afraid to ask for help and fellowship. Maybe you struggle to trust others. Maybe you just have too much pride to fix a broken relationship, apologizing takes too much vulnerability and just might show you are human enough to make a mistake. Maybe you’re too busy for others, time is money, not people. Or maybe you think you can be spiritual all on your own.  Maybe, like me, you’ve experienced all of these before. Maybe you are facing them now.

            But I invite you to hear how God calls to us in all of these circumstances. Hear how God urges us into the faith community anyways. Shy? God gives us the story and calls us to tell it. Independent? Jesus sent the disciples in pairs and groups. Hurt? God calls us to forgive, replacing our pain with God’s love. Afraid? God calls us to cast aside our fears, to lay them all at God’s feet. Untrusting? God calls for faith. Prideful? God calls us to humility. Busy? God calls for Sabbath rest. Spiritual on your own? God calls you to follow, to be the church, to be a member of the body of Christ.

            It’s not a call you can answer on your own. The people John wrote to knew that best of all, for John wrote to whole communities that relied on each other for strength to survive, for nurturance to grow in faith. So Revelation casts this vision of communal hope before us. The vision of all believers celebrating God’s victory together. Of all believers sheltered together under Jesus’ care. Of a great multitude singing praise to God in one voice. A vision of glory. One we can only attain together.

            So live into the hope of God’s glory today. Take the time and make the effort to consider what might be holding you back. When you have that in mind, Remember that nothing separates us from the love of God, and by God’s love all who believe are welcomed and connected as brothers and sisters of Christ. Remember that all are welcomed in this place too, just as on Friday night athletes from around the world will be welcomed together at the opening ceremonies. And welcomed into the faith community of all believers, we in this place, are the multitude that will not only glimpse God’s glory now, but will finally grasp it forever.

Leaving an Impression

Sunday July 15, 2012

Text: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Sermon: "Leaving an Impression"

I've shared with several of you that a few weeks ago when we met to go pick up Vacation Bible School supplies, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why we needed so many helpers. As you know, this is my first VBS experience here, so I didn't know what to expect. Actually, I thought I knew what to expect...and what I expected was a poster or two, maybe a few props, but nothing that needed a dozen people and a trailer. So you can imagine that when we go to our sister church in Kent, I was shocked! I couldn't believe the elaborate sets they had created. Or how the hallways just kept going, swimming in a sea of underwater murals and ocean creatures. And that was before I saw the sixteen foot boat, the boat that took a little imagination and bold deconstruction to get here. But I am glad that we got it here. All I could think was, "wow, they really went all out!" Alright, I was really thinking, "Wow, they really went OVERBOARD!" Needless to say, I was impressed.

Flash forward to this week and I have carried this same sentiment with me---I am still impressed. I might even be more impressed as I watched the sets come to life and transform our own space. Which just might explain why when I sat down to read the Scripture for the week, one phrase in particular jumped out at me. "Impress them on your children." Oh, we've got that covered, I thought, I mean, just wait until the kids see these sets and the fun that is in store for them. Impress your children? CHECK!

But then, I stopped and re-read the passage. That's when I realized that verse seven says "impress them on your children." Put another way, teach your children. That is very different than "impress your children." Or at least it can be. There are, of course, those beautiful moments when our children are both impressed and impressed upon. Which is our hope for this week. That our children will learn about how great God is and how much God loves them. While at the same time being in awe of the fun and imagination that Vacation Bible School offers. Yes, this is going to be an impressive week, one that we should rejoice in!

But when the celebration of this week ends, I began to wonder where we will be. You see, we live in a society that overall seems more interested in impressing our children, rather than being careful about what we impress on our children. It makes sense, we are so busy. Remember all those calls we talked about last week? It's no wonder we strive to impress people, we're always fighting through a constant stream of inputs. We are always vying for people's attention, even for our children's. It seems we need a big extravaganza just to cut through the noise of TV or video games. We need some big to do just to compete with school or sports and overloaded schedules. Something massive...just to catch people's attention before it slips out of our grasp. So we seek to impress. We think we have to.

Although, if you've been around children you know that isn't always the case. It could be the smallest detail, the most mundane event that catches their curiosity. For better or worse, it is the everyday conversation that catches their ear. Country artist Rodney Atkins wrote a song called "Watching You" that captures this point. Let's listen to what really makes an impression:
Watching You-Rodney Atkins

Did you hear how just watching his father left an impression? I imagine this is a truth that we all know. We already know that we don't need to impress our children to teach them. We already know that they learn best just by watching what we do and listening to what we say. Maybe that is why Deuteronomy goes on to say, "talk about the commandments when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

We just need to talk to our children about God. We really need to talk to everyone about God, but we'll start today with our children. Everywhere we are can talk about God. We can tell God's story, we can stop our children to point out God's presence all around them. God's presence in their friendships. God in the trees and the grass and the sky. God in the arms that hold them when they fall. God in the warm bath that makes them clean. God in the rest that makes them ready for another day. God's provision in their meals and God's abundant bounty in their snacks. God everywhere! That's part of my hope with the box, to help point out God's presence with us. Believe me, I know, sometimes it's difficult, even a little scary to find God in what's in the box. The more we try though, the more we break our box apart.** Until eventually we are left with this, a cross, reminding us that God can't be left in a box, or even in our box--the four walls of this church. For God is everywhere. That my friends, is very impressive!

That, is the Good News for today. We don't need to be impressive. God's story is impressive enough. We just need to tell it. As Rodney Atkins reminds us, our words and actions will leave an impression on our children. So when this fun-filled week at Vacation Bible School is over, and we collapse in exhaustion and joy, we don't need to worry about "now what do we do?" "How will we top that?"

We just need to keep telling the story. In church. In the car. In your home. In the morning and at bedtime. Or as Doctor Seuss might suggest from his famous book Green Eggs and Ham, we need to talk about God "in a boat with a goat, in the rain, or in the dark" (especially in the dark times!) "on a train, or in a car. or in a tree. or in a box with a fox. or in a house with a mouse. Talk about God here and there, talk about God anywhere!" And, friends, if we can do that, that will be quite impressive and leave a deep impression.

**This will make more sense (hopefully!) when the video is posted. In the meantime, notice that if you unfold a box that is made of one sheet of paper, the original shape is a cross.

Let's redefine "rapid-fire"...

So much for rapid-fire, catch-up blog posts! Here's what happened: You see, a few weeks ago my lovely husband surprised me...by recording my sermon. Yes, in the middle of my sermon I notice he's got the video camera out, what pastor doesn't love that surprise?! Anyways, it's great...now that I know. So, I thought posting the videos would give you a better experience of the sermons, or just give your tired eyes a rest from reading. But actually getting the videos posted hasn't been so restful on this end. It's taken some trial and error, plus some editing to work out some timing kinks. So, just like God's kingdom, those videos are living in an in-between time....here, but not quite here yet! (That's the only comparison...the videos getting posted won't be near as life-changing as, ya know, the End times, sorry if I got your hopes up). Anyways, that's what slowed down my "rapid-fire" posting. Enter my light-bulb going off moment: I finally figured I can always add the videos later (light-bulb!), so might as well get the text up! Ahh, yes, let's take a moment to soak in that wonderful idea together...


So, that's the new plan. Get the text of the sermons posted then finally move on to what's going on NOW at Faith UMC! The videos will make it when they make it, (no one knows the hour or day...oh wait...)


Alright, enough of that. Let's try this again. Rapid-fire posting, take 2!

When the Phone Rings...

Sermon from July 8, 2012
"When the phone rings...." based on Matthew 4:18-22
Secondary texts: Exodus 3:1-5; 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13; Jeremiah 1: 4-9

            Lynn, did I hear correctly that Jesus basically was out for a stroll when he sees some fishermen. Jesus just decides to call to them to follow him and they just get up and go. They leave everything else behind and just follow Jesus. Did I miss anything? That’s all there is to it? Alright, thank you, I was just checking. So this story really is as remarkable as it sounds. I am just so amazed at how faithful the fishermen are. Here they are in the middle of an ordinary day. They aren’t out to do anything extraordinary. They are just working away, doing what they need to do to catch some fish. Toiling away to get through another day. Just some ordinary fishermen living their lives. Then Jesus comes along with an extraordinary call which transforms their lives. Amazing! Jesus doesn’t come calling for someone particularly special, to a genius or someone with mind-blowing talent. Instead, Jesus calls to these ordinary people on this ordinary day.

But what’s even more astounding to me is that the fishermen immediately break their ordinary routine to follow Jesus. Talk about faith! We don’t even know for sure if the fishermen knew Jesus yet. And here they are leaving their everyday life behind for a new one. I really can’t even understand the leap of faith that it took for them to get out of the boat. I mean, God’s call is powerful, but the fishermen go willingly.

One of the main reasons why I can’t understand the faith that this took is because never in a million years can I put myself in this situation. No matter how much I hope and pray that I could respond like the fishermen, I just don’t think I could. I don’t think I would have gotten out of the boat. I don’t think I could have left my livelihood behind. For the life of me, I can’t imagine walking away from my father and family, they way James and John did. Now, I know this last hesitation is because I’ve been fortunate enough to have a wonderful family life, but still, with that aside, I can’t image myself getting up from the boat. And it certainly wouldn’t have been instant like the fishermen!

Now, I know people who would say that to stay in the boat is to miss the boat. I have friends in the faith who describe their own call story as an immediate need to follow Jesus. As an instant where their lives changed, when they turned away from careers or habits or sins they never in a million years thought they could give up. When I hear conversion stories like this, I am always amazed by how God works. It is so inspiring to me to hear of the powerful, life-changing moments which sustain a person through a lifelong faith journey. So when I hear these stories, and maybe some of you have stories like this you’ll share with me in time. When I hear these stories and when I read this story in Matthew, I am uplifted. Yet at the same time, part of me feels anxious or disheartened, for here before me is a model of faithful discipleship, so bold and powerful. A model I fear that I fall short of. For, I’m afraid I might not have gotten out of the boat.

I imagine some of you in this room are right there with me. Wondering, how did those fishermen do it? How did they leave it all behind? I imagine that others in this room know exactly how they left it all behind, for some of you have probably left something behind yourself.

But we can all take heart. Unlike last week when we talked about how our hands tell the whole faith story, this scene in Matthew is just one way to tell the story of faithfulness. This story sure tells of God’s faithfulness in calling to the ordinary fishermen on an ordinary day. And it sure tells the faithfulness of the fishermen in their immediate discipleship which sent them bounding out of the boat and after Jesus.

But guess what! We heard three other call stories today which told of God’s faithful call and the faith of God’s children in responding. We heard God come on an ordinary day in a most spectacular way as God came to Moses in a burning bush. This time it wasn’t immediate faith that compelled Moses to hear God’s voice, instead it was an unquenchable curiosity. Moses saw something he just couldn’t ignore! The Holy called to Moses in a show-stopping way. God interrupted the ordinary with the extraordinary.

Then there was David. David who God made a king, and how does God first call to him? Through someone else! God tells Samuel to call to David to anoint him a king. So on another ordinary day and ordinary boy is tending the sheep when a prophet has something to say about it. Actually, we don’t even know if Samuel says anything when he anoints David. All we know is that when Samuel poured oil on David, “the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him from that day forward.” A King…and God called to him through someone else.

And what about Jeremiah? God calls to Jeremiah sharing the plans that God has had for him since before he was born. But Jeremiah is afraid. He is young. He literally doesn’t know what to say. God re-assures Jeremiah, persistent in calling to him. In a sign of assurance God touches (ahhh, see there’s the story that hands tell again), anyways, God touches Jeremiah’s mouth to give him the words to speak. Another ordinary day. Another extraordinary call.

There are so many others that we could look at. We could see God call to Mary through an angel. Or God using any means possible to get through to Jonah. So you see, each story tells of God’s unique faithfulness in calling to God’s children. Even when the people don’t spring out of the boat in immediate faith and obedience, still God pursues them.

God pursues you, too. Now, your story may not be anything at all like the ones we heard today. Or maybe it’s exactly like one of them, or it’s a beautiful combination of them all. My own call story has pieces and parts of stories we heard. God’s voice called to me over time. Patiently inviting me to follow God closer. Until finally I understood the invitation to be a call to ministry. But like Jeremiah, I was young. I was seventeen when I understood my call. And in my excitement to answer, I shared my call with others. That’s when another voice spoke up. This was a voice of doubt, of uncertainty, a voice that told me you really don’t want to do ministry, you’re probably too young to be called anyways. I knew the patient voice of God in my own life, and yet I listened to this new voice. So I waited. So did God, although not always patiently. God continued to call to me, God’s voice spoke in a sense of discontent, in a void that couldn’t be filled no matter how hard I tried. When my stubborn self still refused to understand, God’s voice came through unexpected challenges, nothing too dramatic, just enough to tip me off that maybe that void was there for a reason. Four and a half years ago, God called to me in my own burning bush. In the middle of finals week I had a midnight epiphany. A feeling of certainty about my call to ministry washed over me so strongly that I couldn’t help but come closer, to take off my sandals and recognize that this was indeed the voice of God. The next day I had no choice but to change my academic major and begin to look into seminary. Remembering that burning bush moment reminds me of my call. But I have learned to hear God’s voice calling to me in my ordinary moments. God’s voice reassures me through the ordinary and supportive words of others. God’s voice finds me in the vast beauty of nature. God’s voice invites me to follow closer as I spend time in silent, written prayer. Yes, God calls in the ordinary times.

And this, friends, is the greatest joy and the most daunting challenge of God’s call. Because I don’t know about you, but it seems my ordinary times are already filled with different voices calling my name. There are the voices of loved ones. Parents calling in need of care. Children calling to play. Spouses calling for their time and affection. There are bosses and co-workers calling out their demands, their expectations, their deadlines. The News calls out to be heard and feared. The media calls out to distract us. The phone rings with politicians calling for our votes, or with weather warnings calling for our safety. Emails and answering machines blink at us, calling for us to take their messages.

So many calls. Yet these are the ordinary times that God calls. We might all love to have a burning bush at times like these, something we can’t ignore. On second thought,  we might just extinguish the fire without listening. Without a burning bush or a prophet coming with anointing oil, can we still even hear the voice of God calling to us? Because, no mistake about it, God is calling to each and every one of us. And praise the Lord, God will keep on calling. God will stay on the line even when we put Him on hold. God will call back even when we give Him a busy signal. God will call again when we send him straight to voicemail. God will call again when we don’t return His calls, or when we change our number, or disconnect the line. God will call us again because God is faithful to His children. God will call again because God loves us.

So the question isn’t will you be the one in the boat, or in the desert or in the pasture with the sheep when God calls. It’s not about how God calls. It’s not that God calls to you through unexpected opportunities, or through the encouragement of a friend. It’s not that God calls to you in a vision or a miracle or an intuitive feeling. And it’s not about what God calls you to either. Maybe God calls you to follow Jesus, or to follow closer. Maybe it’s a call to radical hospitality or a more generous spirit. Maybe it’s a call to vocational ministry, or ministry through a different career path. No, the real question is, what will you do when the phone rings and God calls? Will you get out of the boat? Will you take off your sandals to recognize the holy ground? Will you receive the Spirit that has come upon you? What will you do when God calls? 

Hands of Faith

Sermon from July 1, 2012

"Hands of Faith"; Based on Mark 5:21-43

            Over the years, my grandparents have been collecting religious figurines from the Lenox Company. These figurines depict various scenes from the Bible and from Jesus’ ministry. Now, I’m not sure if the at the start they had it in mind to give them away, or if that thought came as the collection grew and as life progressed. But they collected at least 20 of these Lenox figures—enough to give one to each of their five daughters and their 15 grandchildren. While my mom and aunts all have their figurines already, my grandparents have decided that the grandchildren will receive theirs as a wedding gift. So to celebrate marriage, my grandparents carefully select which scene best represents or relates to the grandchild. This Saturday, my cousin Michael will be the third grandchild to get his figurine as he marries his fiancé Stacey. I wonder which one he’ll get!

            This past week as we unpacked and began to settle in, I came across my own figurine. I have to tell you the story behind it—because you see—two and a half years ago when Kevin and I were married, I was a little disappointed to see which figurine my grandparents selected for me. Don’t get me wrong—I was grateful for the thought and was deeply appreciative of the sentiment. This just wasn’t one of my favorites. Oh, I had my favorites. As one of the older grandchildren in my family, I grew up watching the collection grow. I remember as a child studying the different scenes that each figure depicted. I remember the game I would play when I learned there was a new one on display and had the chance to see if I could find it. Yes, I loved to look at the figurines! There were images of Jesus blessing the children, of Jesus the shepherd with the sheep. Jesus breaking bread. Jesus feeding the hungry. All these wonderful stories captured in small, pure white statues. And then….there were the praying hands. A plain old disembodied pair of hands folded in prayer. That one never caught my eye. I never stayed to look at them for long. “There’s no story in that” my young mind thought.

            But as you might guess and can see on the altar behind me, two and a half years ago I opened the box to find those same praying hands. When I saw those hands, I couldn’t help but be slightly disappointed, of all the beautiful stories, and here were hands. The same thought came to me, “where’s the story in that?”

            Then this past week I unpacked those praying hands. That’s when it finally occurred to me, the whole Christian narrative is in those hands. For hands folded in prayer is perhaps our oldest and profound expression of faith. But it’s not just prayer, it’s more than that. I suggest that our entire faith journey can be expressed through our hands.

            Today’s Scripture reading reminds us that our hands tell our faith. The Gospel writer, Mark, vividly recounts two miraculous healing stories. I don’t know about you, but I can actually imagine seeing this scene unfold. Jairus comes in desperation, falling in faith at Jesus’ feet. Begging him to come heal and save his little daughter. I imagine Jairus shaking his hands as he pleads, “please, Jesus” or maybe even stretching out his arm in supplication begging, “Come, Teacher, please.” I’d be surprised if Jesus stood idly by, passively watching the scene. Instead, I can see Jesus extending his own hand to Jairus in comfort and support. Pulling him gently to his feet as he follows him to where the girl is. See how hands can tell the story?

            Can you see the faith of the suffering woman, in her desperate yet tentatively outstretched hand? Her hand which with a single touch shattered all types of religious and cultural boundaries. For considered an outsider, one made unclean by her illness, a woman no less!, she dared to stretch out her, to brush the hem of Jesus’ robe, fully trusting that should would find healing and salvation in a touch. And she does!

            Then Jesus himself, goes in to the little girl. He takes her lifeless hand in his own life-giving one and she begins to walk around, alive again. All through the work of hands. Healing hands. Hands outstretched in faith. Hands pleading out of love for another. A testimony to our faith story, all in our hands.

            Friends, our hands are powerful. They witness to our faith, they tell our story. In reflecting on this, I am reminded of a scene in a movie: Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. In the scene, Will Ferrell playing racecar driver Ricky Bobby is being interviewed after his first victory at a race. In the middle of the interview, he begins grabbing the microphone saying, “I’m not real sure what to do with my hands.” The interviewer gently lowers his hands instructing him to just keep them by his side. As the interview goes on, you can see Ricky’s hands slowly and awkwardly creep into the camera shot. It’s a pretty ridiculous situation that makes for an amusing scene. Ricky just doesn’t know what to do with his hands.

            It’s great for comedy, but for Christians, not knowing what to do with our hands is a tragedy. In a society in which hands cause violence and abuse, when hands neglect and violate, we as Christians must know what do with our hands. Because, remember, our hands tell our story.

            The picture that is hanging between our main doors at the back of the building is a powerful reminder of the story hands can tell. If you haven’t looked at it recently I encourage you to take a few minutes to see it before you leave today. It is an image of a young girl. She is holding the Risen Christ’s hand in her own. With her other hand she is gently pointing to the wound in Jesus’ hand. She looks up at him wonderingly asking, “what happened to your hand?”

            Friends, we know what happened to his hand. While his hands were pierced for the weight and brokenness of our sin, Christ still opened them to offer grace and forgiveness to us all. That is our faith story told through hands. So I ask you, what story will your hands tell?

            As you reflect on this, I want to close by offering some of my own reflections on the story your hands have told. Because I know that your hands have been busy in telling your story. The hands that nurtured Pastor Curt and Michelle and which held Caleb, Jude and Malachi, have already graciously been opened to bring us into the Faith family. In the week since we’ve moved in, Kevin and I have been blessed and welcomed by the work of your hands. Your hands have showed Christian love and hospitality through the labor of home improvements, through the extended hands and open arms of greeting, through the wonderfully prepared meals. But it’s not just us who have been blessed by your hands. No, you have shared your story with others. Your hands have shared the faith by serving the community at Open M. Your hands have cared for creation as the gardens were tended. Your hands have prepared to pass the faith to our children as Vacation Bible School approaches. Already this morning your hands have told our Christian story as they folded in prayer and were lifted in praise.

            Now, our hands will tell the story as we come to the table together. We will come like the girl in the picture, with open hands ready to receive the body of Christ, broken for us all. May this Communion meal be the bread for your journey. May it prepare you so that never again will you find yourself like Ricky Bobby, unsure of what to do with your hands. May the grace of this table free your hands to be hands of faith in this world. For like my grandparents knew all along, the whole story can be told in our hands. 

Is this thing still on?

Grace and peace to you!

I'm really glad that Scripture provides that greeting...I never do know how to start writing something! But, now I have so here we go. You can read more about me in the cleverly named "About Me" tab to the right, but I'll give you a brief introduction here anyways. I'm Pastor Janelle, the newly appointed pastor to Faith United Methodist Church in Brimfield. My husband, Kevin, and I are Ohio natives who just moved back from Atlanta. We were in Atlanta for three years while I attended seminary at Emory's Candler School of Theology. We're thrilled to be back and serving the wonderful community of Brimfield and the lovely people of Faith UMC. 

While I will be the primary hands and voice behind this blog, I hope that it will reflect the life of the Faith community. So, not only will this be a place to read past sermons, it will be a place to see about the current happenings in our congregation and community. 

I'm going to call this introductory post a wrap and go on to bombard you with a few more to get us up to speed. Hold on tight, if you've ever thought time flies, it's sure going to now...here comes all of July in a few rapid fire posts! Thanks for reading!

Peace, 

Janelle

The Voice of Victory: An Easter Message

“The Voice of Victory!”

Brimfield Faith UMC / April 8, 2012
Acts 10:34-43

INTRO

It has been a busy spring and an especially busy week for my family. On Monday, my son, Malachi Michael was born. So I hope you’ll forgive me if I look a bit tired this morning or a bit frazzled. A two year-old and a new born infant will do that to you. Nonetheless, I am excited and blessed to be here to share in the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Lent began in February as a journey guided by God’s voice from darkness to the light of Christ. This Easter morning is the breaking forth of God’s light and his glory manifested in the Resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ. The Scripture reading from Acts 10 is not the traditional Easter text. The story that we all know so well is recorded in all four of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. If you haven’t ever read it, I would encourage you to do so. The stories vary in detail, but the main events and point are the same: Jesus Christ died, was buried and on the third day was raised from the dead. Easter is the celebration that God makes all things new, that hope is alive, that resurrection in real.

The Easter story is not just a nice story in the Bible. It is THE story in the Bible. Christianity does not exist today if not for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 10:34-43 is a testament to the significance and the power of the Easter message. Therefore, I want to share from it this morning because it captures the three overarching themes of the Easter message: what Jesus did, what was done to Jesus and what Jesus wants us to do. It boils down to this: Easter proclaims that hope is alive because resurrection is real.



HOPE IS ALIVE

Acts 10 is an address from the Apostle Peter preaching the Good News of the Easter story. In verse 34 he begins by talking about what Jesus did in the world. The following five verses are the summary of God’s work through Jesus Christ on the earth. Jesus proclaims hope is alive. In a world filled with despair, poverty, brokenness and hopelessness, Jesus brings a message of hope. It is a message that was not only brought 2000 years ago, but it is a message that continues to be true today. Hope is Alive.

Hope is Alive because no one is beyond God’s love. At the beginning of Acts 10, Peter deep into prayer when he realizes he is ravenous with hunger. As he heads down for lunch, God takes him into a vision. In this vision, God places all kinds of animals and food before Peter and says, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter resists because as a good Jewish man he followed all of the dietary laws found in the Old Testament. The animals God tells Peter to eat are not in accordance to those laws. Yet, God insists that Peter eat what God has made and called clean. Peter is confused but is struck with a profound revelation that he expresses in Acts 10:34, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

While we may consider this to be a strange way learn about God’s love, it is profound for Peter. Paul reiterates the same message in Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither dead, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God says to each of you that regardless of where you are in life, you are not beyond his love. You are not left out in the cold. You are not being judged. You are not being cast away. God is calling you with his love. It doesn’t matter what you have done in the past or are doing in the present, you are not beyond his love and acceptance. Jesus proclaims to you that hope is alive!

Hope is alive because the power of the Holy Spirit brings healing and freedom. In Acts 10:38, Peter describes “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with him.” Jesus brings hope to everyone who needs healing and freedom.

The power of the Holy Spirit is still active, alive and accessible today. Most of us can think of some area of our life that needs healing. All of us can think of someone else that needs healing and freedom in their lives. This community needs healing and freedom from poverty, drugs, and addiction. The only way that you can break strongholds in your life is through the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus offers freedom and healing to those who ask for it, to those who seek it, and to those who cry out for it. If you are in need of healing and freedom don’t leave here without crying out to God for it.



JUDE AND MALACHI

Last year on March 15th, my second son, Jude Jeffrey Bissell was born with a serious congenital heart defect. His body was too sick to sustain life and he passed in his mother’s arms after only 25 hours of life on this earth. It was the hardest, most heartbreak moment of my life. The birth of a child is supposed to be a joyous and exciting experience. Jude’s birth was filled with grief and pain. Over that past year, I have sought the healing and freedom of Jesus. While I continue to mourn and always will, Jesus proclaims over my life every day that hope is still alive. Last year, I took six weeks of bereavement leave after Jude’s death. The first Sunday after the leave that I preached was Easter Sunday.

This past Monday, April 2, my third son, Malachi Michael Bissell, was born. He is a health little boy who is in his mother’s arms this morning in worship. My first Sunday preaching after Malachi was born again is Easter morning. I’m not completely sure what to make of it, but I sense God’s presence in it. Both Jude and Malachi reminds me that there is power in the Easter story. That God has not forgotten me. That God has not abandon me. That hope is alive.

That resurrection is real.

RESURRECTION IS REAL

The Easter story declares that hope is alive because resurrection is real. Easter morning is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The women found the stone rolled aside and the tomb empty. The disciples experience the same thing and then later commune with the resurrected Jesus. Peter testifies to this reality in Acts 10:39-41. “They put him to dead by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.”

The details of these verses are intentional. They emphasize that Jesus was a man who actually suffered and who actually died. Jesus was crucified and died on a tree, a Roman cross. It was the most humiliating and painful way to die in the ancient world. Hanging, beheading, the electric chair, and lethal injection, all pale in comparison to crucifixion.

The story does not end with the grave. Verse 40 celebrates: “God raised Jesus on the third day and allowed him to appear.” His appearances and the meals that he shared with his disciples testify to that fact that Jesus actually conquered death. He was not a ghost or an apparition, but was still a man. A man that was hungry. A man that lived in the flesh. A man that had died and was now alive. A man that proved resurrection was not only a nice theory or theological idea, but proved that resurrection is real.

The truth that Resurrection is real gives us hope not only in this world but in the world to come. We may never be completely healed and freed in this life. There will always be suffering, pain and tragedy on earth. The world is broken and groaning to be renewed. Resurrection reminds us that there is hope beyond this world. Resurrection tells us that sin and death do not have the last word. Resurrection cries out victory in the world. It cries out hope in the face of pain, suffering and despair. Hope is alive. Resurrection is real.



SHARE IT

In Acts 10:42-43 Jesus commands all who follow and serve God to preach and proclaim the Good News to the world. Jesus wants us to experience the hope of Resurrection in this world and out of that experience and share it with the world. God offers forgiveness of sins. He offers freedom and healing. He offers hope and peace. He offers acceptance and unconditional love. He offers victory over sin and death.

When you have accepted the invitation to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, you can experience the fullness of the life which God offers you. As you experience that life, the only authentic response we can have is to share it with others. This means telling your story. Telling how Jesus continues to bring healing and freedom in your life.

I am open with you about my ongoing faith journey not for my own benefit. Instead, I share it because I want you to know that everyone needs to continually receive the healing and love of Jesus. Regardless of where you are in your faith journey, God’s is extending love and redemptive power of the Holy Spirit.

We need hope. We need resurrection. We need God. As individuals and as a church, God’s grace must abound in our lives. We must continually experience that hope is alive because resurrection is real. This is the message of Easter. This is the message of the Gospel. This is the message for all time. This is God’s message to you.

Let’s pray.

Doers of the Word

“Doers of the Word”


Brimfield Faith UMC / March 25, 2012

2 Kings 5:9-16



THE JOURNEY OF LENT

This is the fifth Sunday of Lent. Easter is almost upon us. Next week is Palm Sunday when we will celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Then Easter and my son will both be here. So I don’t know about you but the next two weeks are going to fly by.

With that said, we have been on a journey this Lent from darkness to the light of Christ. We have been focusing on how the voice of God guides us through that journey. Michelle started the series with a discussion about how we can at times be fearful of the voice of God. We talked about how we can tune our ear to heaven and then open ourselves to the wide varieties of how God can speak to us. Finally last week, we talked about the importance of having humility as we learn to hear from the Lord. The goal of learning to hear God’s voice is to follow God more closely.

Following God and learning to trust God’s guidance is the toughest part of Christianity. At least for me. There are many times I know the right action to take, the right word to speak and yet I struggle to follow through. It can be as simple as eagerly taking the opportunity to serve and love my family after a tiring day of work. It can be more difficult like praying for someone that seems to be my enemy or taking a risk that potential sets me up to fail. Regardless of the maturity of our walk with Christ, there will be times when following God’s promptings and voice will be hard to do. There will always be hindrances to overcome in hearing and following God’s voice.



NAAMAN

In 2 Kings 5, we encounter a story that reveals the difficulties and hindrances that each of us experience in our walk with God. The story begins as we met Naaman who is a great warrior and commander of the Arameans. While Naaman is a great warrior and leader, he has been struck with a case of leprosy. Leprosy in ancient times was of great concern and generally led to a person becoming an outcast from society. In the midst of this great worry, a young Israelites slave girl offers a solution. “There is a prophet in Samaria who can cure Naaman’s leprosy.” Naaman takes steps to act on this girl’s word.

Why in the world would Naaman listen to this girl? Women were thought of as property in ancient times. This young girl was indeed property; she isn’t even given a name in the story. She had been stolen in a raid of the Israelites. She was made a servant to Naaman’s wife. She was from the enemy’s camp, from the other side. It was probably unwise for the girl even making the suggestion. Just for speaking risked her life. If she is wrong, she’s definitely in trouble. Nonetheless, the nameless Israelite servant girl takes the risk and Naaman actually listens.

The hindrance of risk-taking is part of achieve dreams. Can you imagine if Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg hadn’t taken the risks they did? None of them finished college. Gates and Zuckerberg both dropped out of Harvard to pursue their dreams of Microsoft and Facebook. I don’t know if they directly heard from God, but they took great risks that resulted in amazing results. We cannot expect our dreams to come true if we are unwilling to take risks, especially when God speaks to us.

Naaman takes his own risks by listening to the girl. He petitions the king to initiate contact with the enemy, Israel. The King could have laughed at him, instantly dismissed him, or even had him killed. Naaman is desperate and apparently has some level of trust in the girl’s word. He takes the risk of petitioning the king. Both Naaman and the slave girl take personal risks and break social stigmas to listen and follow the voice of God.



OBEDIENCE

The next action in the story unfolds as Naaman and his servants seek out and then approach Elisha’s dwelling place. Naaman enters foreign territory with no sense of what the outcome might be. The last time he had entered Israelite territory he had raided a city and stole their children and women. He wasn’t exactly a folk hero. It is kind of like when Lebron James announced he was taking his talents to South Beach his first trip back to Cleveland. It was by no means a warm welcome. Naaman’s entrance into Israelite territory involved significant risks. There were plenty of Israelites that surely sought revenge on the great commander of the Arameans for their recent raids. It was a dangerous and humbling journey to Samaria.

I started to sense a call to ministry when I was a junior in college. My senior year, I became an intern on the staff of a church plant. Every week I came in early and stayed late to setup and tear down chairs. It was a tiresome and humbling job. There was nothing glorious about it. The humility that I learned in those early tasks helped to prepare me for ministry later down the road. The hindrance of pride can prevent us from godly futures. Humility then prepares us for that future.

Safely, Naaman arrives at the entrance of the prophet and waits outside of the house as a sign of respect. As a great warrior he was accustomed to forcefully entering people’s homes and taking what he wanted. This entire encounter was humbling for Naaman. Elisha doesn’t even leave his house. Instead he sends out one of his servants to deliver a message. It was a blatant slap in the face. I imagine a young boy with a squeaky voice delivering the message.

Not only was the messenger embarrassing, but the instructions were humbling: bathe in the Jordan River seven times. Verse 12, Naaman is repulsed by the idea. “Are not Abana and Parpar, the rivers of Damascus, better and all the waters of Israel?” The Jordan River was actually an inferior river than the rivers that Naaman lists. The Jordan was a shallow, muddy river, but it was Israel’s river, it was God’s river. Naaman hesitantly listens and does the word of the prophet.



THE HEALING

Verse 14 reads, “So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy and he was clean.” Naaman listens and follows the voice of God and is restored as a result. As a result of the healing, Naaman tries to pay Elisha. When Elisha refuses, Naaman vows to only offer sacrifices to the Lord God of Israel. Naaman essentially converts.

Naaman cannot ignore the transformation that has occurred as he listened and followed the voice of God. He realizes that his only faithful response to this miracle in his life was to worship the Lord God Almighty. The word of God has transformed this great warrior that was once an enemy of the Israelites.

I wonder what the King of Aram would have thought about all of this. He couldn’t have been happy with it. This could have been a barrier to Naaman’s response. In fact, he tries to pay for the healing. This would have appeased his King and avoided a more awkward situation. Elisha’s refusal forces his hand. When the Lord speaks and you follow you will be compelled to change. Therefore, Naaman is compelled, even wooed by the powerful actions and voice of God. Healing and conversion occur when Naaman listens and follows God’s voice.



OVERCOMING BARRIERS

Naaman overcomes significant obstacles to hearing the voice of God. He overcomes significant risks to his life, to his reputation, and to his pride. As a result, he is forever changed. He provides a model for each of us to follow. Listening and following God requires commitment and risk. It is never glorious or easy but it is always worth it. It leads us closer to the heart of God. As we conclude let’s be reminded of the lessons we learn from Naaman’s journey to Elisha.

Listen for small tasks to build your faith. Naaman started with the low risk choice to allow the Israelite slave girl to speak. There is little risk to allowing her to speak. While it certainly breaks social stigmas, there would have been little fall out for such a great warrior to simply listen. In Luke 16:10 Jesus says, “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” The Lord wants to build our faith by giving us small tasks at first. This might mean faithful serving in a behind-the-scenes role when you really desire to be upfront.

Acting on God’s voice always involves risk. We will never feel fully equipped or safe in what God is calling us to. If it is too easy, there is a good chance it is not from the Lord. God loves to stretch us. In that risk taking we are drawn closer to him in relationship. We learn to trust him more. While we act with wisdom, we always have to take a leap of faith with God.

When I enrolled in seminary, my parents were supportive of the decision. My Dad’s exact words were “You need to pursue what you are passionate about, but I am not paying for it.” Even without his financial support, I applied for seminary, was accepted and made preparations to start in the fall. I had absolutely no idea how I was going to pay for a three year program with tuition over $10,000 a year. I knew God was calling me to follow his voice and I took a huge risk in following Him. As it turned out, once I had started down the path, I received a full-tuition scholarship to cover my expenses.

Hearing and following the voice of God is not a glorious idea. And yet, it is essential to growing in the image of Christ and to bringing heaven down to earth. If we desire to partner with God in his work in this world, then we need to learn to hear and follow God’s voice. It requires us to listen to many ways God speaks. It requires humility. It requires action.

What have you heard? What do you need to act on? God is calling, beaconing, waiting. All he needs is you to follow. Be a person who listens, follows and does. Be a church that listens, follows, and does. When you do God will move and your world will be transformed.

Hearing with Humility

“Hearing with Humility”

Brimfield Faith UMC / March 18, 2012

Genesis 37:5-11

SPIRITUAL PRIDE

In college I started attending a church that focused on certain spiritual gifts. I remember when I first started attending the young adult group I was pretty intimidated by this. I held these people on a spiritual pedestal. There were even a few people in the group that gave off an air of arrogance that they were superior to other Christians because could hear from. What I came to realize was that these young adult were no different than me and all had their own personal struggles. They were not perfect Christians. Their gifts didn’t make them better than others. They were gifts from God not things to boast about.

I have to admit that sometimes I think of myself I fall into this kind of thinking. I am a fairly competitive person. I like to win. I like to think I’m better than other people than things. Anyone who has ever played sports with me knows that I am a bit competitive. (OK more than a little bit.) Outside of sports there are even times when I find myself falling into this thought pattern as well. I want to be the best pastor and leader that I can be. Not only do I wanted to be the best that I can be, I want to be better than other pastors. This idea that I’m better than other is a sin issue called pride.

If we are honest pride is an issue we struggle with. We like to know we are better than somebody else. When we were kids there was nothing worse than being picked last in kickball. At work we don’t want to be the least productive person in the office. Some of us want to be the best, others just wanted to be better than at least a couple of people. Pride is part of our cultural identity.

PRIDE

In the Bible, pride is a two sides of a coin. There are positive uses of pride in the Bible. When pride is a reasonable or justifiable, there is nothing wrong with it. Paul talks about how proud of the Christians in Corinth. There is a darker side to pride though. Negative pride is defined as an excessive self-esteem or arrogance. The Proverbs make numerous warnings against pride. Proverbs 21:6 states it plainly: “Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.”

Pride is attributed in several Old Testament as one of the downfalls of Israel at different times. (Isaiah 3:16, Ezekiel 16:50, Hosea 13:6, Zephaniah 3:11). It calls to mind to events of 2001, when we suffered the terrorist attacks of September 11th. Without diminishing the great tragedy that occurred that day, I remember President Bush coming out and vowing justice, even vengeance, would be served. He then proclaimed three countries in the world as the Axis of Evil: Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. The American public ate this rhetoric up. It demonstrated to the world that was superior to the rest of the world. That would crush anyone that tried to supplant our status in the world. Prideful is often exulted as a virtue in our culture.

Joseph is another instance of spiritual pride being his down fall. As a teenager of 17, he is baby of 11 brothers. As a kid, he surely got picked on and mistreated by his brothers. Nevertheless, his father Joseph favors Joseph. This pride leads to resentment by the other brothers. When Joseph receives two dreams from the Lord, he arrogantly shares these dreams with his brothers to claim a place of superiority over them. In his eyes, he is not only favored by his earthly father but now by his Heavenly Father as well. This pride pushes his older brothers over the edge to the point they fake his death and sell him into slavery into Egypt. Pride was at the heart Joseph’s downfall.

Pride begins in the heart but always overflows into your actions. If you watch the reality show Survivor, one of the players this season exudes pride. His name is Colton and he grew up in the “Country Club” environment. He has an attitude of entitlement and frequently looks down on other people. Proverbs 21:24 describes his behavior well: “The proud, haughty person, named “Scoffer,” acts with arrogant pride.” It is that snotty person who peers down on you with looks of judgmental disgust. My guess is that his pride is going to catch up with him on the show eventually. Pride is the downfall of many great people and nations.

HUMILITY

Those who are prideful may not see it as a problem, but there are dire consequences to a prideful attitude. Proverbs 16:18-19 provide a transition away from pride towards its opposite virtue of humility. “18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.” The Biblical alternative to pride is the virtue of humility.

In worldly standards, humility is defined as a condition of lowliness or affliction where a person experiences a loss of power or prestige (Tyndale Bible Dictionary). By this definition, humility is a weakness and stands in stark contrast to pride. Recently President Obama apologized for the handling of a foreign policy issue with another country. Critics chastised because they felt this show of humility was weakness. Their stance was that America should never apologize for our actions because a posture of humility is a posture of weakness.

While some people confuse humility with weakness, others confuse it with low self-esteem. Some people cover their low self-image under the guise of humility. This is not humility. Saying your gifts and talents are solely from God is dishonest and I believe insults God. It is okay to have a sense of pride in your hard work and accomplishments while acknowledging that God has given you certain gifts. Musicians will try to avoid pride by deflecting attention. It is okay to have a justified sense of self-respect and pride. It is not bragging or taking the glory from God to accept a compliment as a compliment.

In Biblical terms, humility acknowledges an utter reliance on God. Humility leads to an honest assessment of your current condition. Humility realizes that we might not have all the answer and others might have something to teach us. Humility is a desire to serve others before serving your own interests. Humility is to treat all people as equals and to treat everyone with dignity and respect. In Luke 14:7-14, Jesus teaches about the importance of humility and hospitality. In verse 11 he teaches that “all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Humility is a virtue that can be transformed into a strength. The term servant-leader has become popular in both secular and sacred circles recently. The model focuses on leader who is willing to serve others, not just be served by others. In the church this might mean the pastor runs the vacuum once in awhile. It means the boss might help run copies. Nothing is above or below the servant-leader.

Jesus was the ultimate servant-leader. At the Last Supper in John 13, the disciples are gathered around the table preparing for dinner. There is no servant present and therefore no one to wash the dirty, dusty feet of those gathered. This job was reserved for the lowliest person in the group. The pride of the disciples prevents any of them from taking up the task. It would present them in a place of weakness. Instead, Jesus disrobes and assumes the task of washing the disciples feet. He demonstrates the position and how a servant leader acts and leads. He or she is willing to get dirty and serve when the situation calls for it. Jesus transforms humility from weakness to strength.

MOVING TOWARDS HUMILITY

It is the Lord that ultimately brings humility. The Scriptures teach that God through the circumstances of the world can humble a person or a person can willingly submit to the Lord and assume a posture of humility. I want to suggest a couple of soul training exercises to move us closer to a place of humility in the Lord.

#1. Acknowledge your need for others and for God.

Joseph is an example of how the world brings him to a place of humility. After his spiritual pride flaunts his favor with his father and with God, his brothers sell him into slavery. Several times Joseph rises to places of prominence only to find himself humbled. Potiphar’s wife, dreams interpreted from jail, and several other events break his pride. Finally, Joseph is released from prison and he again rises to a place of prominence in the Egyptian courts. This time he doesn’t assume a posture of arrogance. In fact, when his family comes to Egypt looking for food, Joseph is a changed man, a humbled man. He says to his brothers, “Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” In the end Joseph acknowledges that God has granted him favor and there is no pride in that.

You also need to let go of your self-reliance and haughtiness. This past Thursday would have been Jude’s one-year birthday. The journey of grief from losing my son has humbled me in so many ways. It broke me, humbled me and taught me to rely on God and others. I’m not yet where Joseph is with his brothers in Genesis 45 but I’m trusting God to move me closer to that place with every passing day. It takes true strength to admit there are times when you simply need help. You can’t do everything on your own and it’s time to start realizing it. I would encourage you to take some time to consider how you can allow God to massage humility into your spirit.

#2. Look for places to serve and love others.

In Matthew 19:30 Jesus reminds us that “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” God values the person who is humble and choose to serve rather than fight for a place of honor and prestige. Jesus loves flipping the world upside down and that is exactly what he does when it comes to pride and humility. Therefore, I would encourage you to serving at Open M in June or consider going on the on the Henderson Mission Trip. These experiences will humble you in many different ways. I served at Open M twice last year. The service experiences were humbling in many different ways. I learned to think less of myself and more of others. I had to put others needs above my own. This is at the heart of learning humility in your own life.

Hearing God’s voice, it can cause spiritual pride. Joseph fell into that trap and we see where that god him. Instead of pride, hearing God’s voice gives us a unique opportunity to serve, to minister and to love others. Hearing with humility is the only way for the Christian. Look and listen for places to serve and love others. When you listen to your Lord, and seek to serve you will humility will sneak into your soul. Joseph found humility the hard way, you don’t have to.

Let’s pray.