It was a Saturday and I was sitting in a long line of traffic at the intersection of 42nd Street and 13th Avenue in Fargo. If you know the intersection you know that it’s always busy, but this day was even worse. It seemed as though I had been at the stoplight longer than usual, when finally the light changed and the line inched forward – only to stop once again.
I confess I was a little irritated … I was in a hurry (of course!) and even though I was only running the kinds of errands that you do on a free Saturday, I didn’t want to wait through another red light. And I couldn’t imagine why the line wasn’t moving.
And then I saw why.
A man was standing in the middle of the median. He was holding a handmade sign on a piece of cardboard that read “Will work for food.” Now, we’ve all seen that before and – if you are like me - usually I drive by trying not to look at him – even though he is often standing just feet from my car window.
But that wasn’t why traffic had stopped.
It had stopped because this time, someone had actually seen him. And more than that, the woman who had seen him – instead of moving on – had gone over to the restaurant across the street and had bought the man a meal. She had stopped traffic because she had to run across all three lanes of the busy intersection to give him his food.
I was amazed. I had never seen that before, and as I went on my way to do all those errands that had seemed so necessary only moments before, I found myself haunted by the event. It reminded me of a comment my son Joel made when we saw a similar sign in Iowa City. He said, “You don’t expect to see that here, do you?”
He’s right. You don’t. I don’t expect to see that here … or maybe I simply don’t want to see it here. I don’t want to be reminded that hunger exists right here – right under my nose – in my town – in my neighborhood – perhaps even in my church.
But even if all that had sunk in, I don’t know that I would have made the effort that woman did. To actually stop – get out of my car – go into a restaurant – pay money – and then cross three lanes of heavy traffic to give the man something to eat? I wouldn’t have done it.
And that thought convicted me.
Summer. It’s a time of vacations, family time, and relaxed and carefree living. But even in summer the needs of the world and the needs of our own communities continue. They never stop. I may want to turn away or close my eyes or look elsewhere … but I can’t.
And here’s why.
“Then then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:37-40)
Friends, God’s call is a lifetime call.
It is a call to open our eyes and see the world as God sees it - with its beauty and its hurts, with its good and its bad, with its abundance and its hunger.
And it’s a call to respond to all that we see, not just when it’s convenient, not just when we have the time, not just when it won’t interfere with our already scheduled lives, but every day and at every moment.
I truly pray each of us has taken time for Sabbath and renewal through these summer months. That’s an absolutely essential part of balancing our lives.
And yet … I also pray that we might never close our eyes to the needs around us and the ways God is calling us to love and to serve.
So, let’s be fearless in our serving! Let’s be bold in our loving! Let’s be willing to put ourselves out – for the sake of others – for the sake of God – and for the sake of the world.
Bishop Deb
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A Future with Hope
"I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Ephesians 4:1-3
General Conference begins next week. This will be my sixth General Conference, and each time, I go with excitement, anticipation, a little dread and some nervousness. But over the years my over-riding reaction to this once every four year event is excitement.
What I look forward to most of all is the worship. It is truly amazing! The music is varied and beautifully done; the visual impact is breath-taking; the preaching is inspiring. Worship undergirds the entire General Conference experience – beginning with opening worship, starting each day with worship, sharing Eucharist each noon, offering prayer stations throughout, and finally concluding our work with closing worship. The entire event is steeped in worship – as well it should be, for how can we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit – how can we remind ourselves Whose we are and what we are truly about – unless we take time to worship?
However, as we are all too aware, even in the midst of these high points of General Conference, there are also moments that are extremely difficult – moments filled with passion and emotion –moments that cause pain and division.
So, as we approach this important gathering of United Methodists, The Commission on the General Conference offers this framework for our time together. Let me share a condensed version for you to consider as we, too, come together as Christians in any context.
Guidelines for Holy Conferencing – What God Expects of Us
- Every person is a child of God. Always speak respectfully. One can disagree without being disagreeable.
- Be open to the possibility that God can change the views of any or all parties in the discussion.
- Listen patiently before formulating responses.
- Strive to understand the experience out of which others have arrived at their views.
- Be careful how you express personal offense at differing opinions.
- Accurately reflect the views of others when speaking.
- Avoid using inflammatory words, derogatory names, or an excited and angry voice.
- Avoid making generalizations about individuals and groups.
- Make use of facilitators and mediators.
- Remember that people are defined, ultimately, by their relationship with God – not by the flaws we discover, or think we discover, in their views and actions.
Wise words – for General Conference, Annual Conference, or anywhere we gather as Christians.
So as United Methodists from around the world begin to gather in the next few days, please hold us all in prayer. In fact, I would suggest that daily you pray this prayer offered by the Hosting Committee of the Central Texas Conference:
O Holy One, Be Thou our vision for the church …
For all the United Methodist conferences …
We pray for Your guidance and Your strength. Be Thou our Vision for the world…
We pray for Your justice and Your peace. For Your amazing grace… Help us to see what we need to see… Help us to be who You call us to be…
O Holy One, Let our breathing lead us into a place of ever deepening faith.
Let us be awake to the Divine Indwelling where you promise, “I shall live in them and I shall walk the corridors of their heart.”
Let this be a time of … Holy Listening … Holy Conversations … and Holy Conferencing.
Amen
It is my prayer that God’s spirit and wisdom will guide all our words and our actions, so that when our work is done, it is God’s work that has been done and God’s name that was praised.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. … So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:13-14, 19)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Lenten Devotional, Week 6
Called – To Faith
Ephesians 6
Lent, Week 6 – Holy Week
Read Ephesians, Chapter Six.
Throughout Lent the author of Ephesians has been giving us instructions - guidelines - as to how we can live as Christians in a world filled with distractions, discouragement and struggle. Throughout the book we have been reminded over and over again that Christ has brought us together in a community that is stronger than anything that would threaten to divide us. Our unity in Christ is our strength.
So, before closing this letter, the author sends us off with one last important piece of advice:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (vs. 10 – 11)
“Put on the whole armor of God...”
The author knew the days ahead would be difficult and filled with struggles and doubts and fears and persecutions and betrayals and heresies. The author wanted to give them something - some tangible vision they could hang onto in the struggle that was certain to be coming. An image of strength - an image of protection - an image that would carry them through whatever lay ahead. And the armor of the Roman soldier provided the perfect illustration.
And then finally, listen to the closing words:
“Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.” (vs. 23 – 24)
With these words we return to the theme of the book of Ephesians. One last time we hear the plea for peace, love and grace.
All that has been said in the previous five chapters comes down to these final words … peace with each other … love in faith … and grace to all who love Christ.
As we enter into this holiest of weeks, we will walk with Christ and his disciples through trials and betrayals and torture and death. We know the cross is before us. But through Christ, we have been given all we need to not only walk the road to Jerusalem, but to walk it in the sure knowledge and hope of the resurrection that is to come.
That is our common calling – to live in the shadow and the hope of the cross.
Questions to ponder:
1. Which piece or pieces of the “whole armor” are particularly intriguing to you? Which piece do you wish you had better ownership of?
2. Do you sometimes feel as though you are in a battle for your life and faith with forces of evil? How do we finally win that battle, and what do we use to win it?
3. The word “peace” is used frequently in the Bible. How do you define that word, and what would it take for that word to become real throughout our Church and our world?
Ephesians 6
Lent, Week 6 – Holy Week
Read Ephesians, Chapter Six.
Throughout Lent the author of Ephesians has been giving us instructions - guidelines - as to how we can live as Christians in a world filled with distractions, discouragement and struggle. Throughout the book we have been reminded over and over again that Christ has brought us together in a community that is stronger than anything that would threaten to divide us. Our unity in Christ is our strength.
So, before closing this letter, the author sends us off with one last important piece of advice:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (vs. 10 – 11)
“Put on the whole armor of God...”
The author knew the days ahead would be difficult and filled with struggles and doubts and fears and persecutions and betrayals and heresies. The author wanted to give them something - some tangible vision they could hang onto in the struggle that was certain to be coming. An image of strength - an image of protection - an image that would carry them through whatever lay ahead. And the armor of the Roman soldier provided the perfect illustration.
- The Belt of Truth: Truth, which holds everything together, that keeps our faith from falling apart.
- The Breastplate of Righteousness: A righteous life, which protects the most vulnerable place - the heart.
- Shoes: Which make us ready to Proclaim the Gospel of Peace to all the world.
- The Shield of Faith: Faith, that allows the flaming arrows to fall harmlessly around us.
- The Helmet of Salvation: Salvation, a protection directly from God.
- The Sword of the Spirit: Spirit, which brings new life – new vitality in God.
And then finally, listen to the closing words:
“Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.” (vs. 23 – 24)
With these words we return to the theme of the book of Ephesians. One last time we hear the plea for peace, love and grace.
All that has been said in the previous five chapters comes down to these final words … peace with each other … love in faith … and grace to all who love Christ.
As we enter into this holiest of weeks, we will walk with Christ and his disciples through trials and betrayals and torture and death. We know the cross is before us. But through Christ, we have been given all we need to not only walk the road to Jerusalem, but to walk it in the sure knowledge and hope of the resurrection that is to come.
That is our common calling – to live in the shadow and the hope of the cross.
Questions to ponder:
1. Which piece or pieces of the “whole armor” are particularly intriguing to you? Which piece do you wish you had better ownership of?
2. Do you sometimes feel as though you are in a battle for your life and faith with forces of evil? How do we finally win that battle, and what do we use to win it?
3. The word “peace” is used frequently in the Bible. How do you define that word, and what would it take for that word to become real throughout our Church and our world?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Lenten Devotional, Week 5
Called – To Imitate God
Ephesians 5
Lent, Week 5
Read Ephesians, Chapter Five plus the first nine verses of Chapter Six.
Let me share with you a children’s sermon given by one of my associate pastors.
As the children came forward and sat in a semi-circle around his feet, the pastor took out a tube of toothpaste. He took the cap off and began to squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush. The bristles soon were covered with paste, but he didn’t stop. He continued to squeeze even when the brush was filled… he squeezed even when it fell off the brush and onto the paper he’d placed beneath the brush… he squeezed until there was a pile of toothpaste in his hands.
Finally, he said “Oops! There’s too much here,” and asked the children to help him put it back into the tube. Of course there were cries, “We can’t get it back in!" and "That won’t work!" There were a few helpful suggestions as to how to make it happen … but they all knew (as did the congregation who was listening intently) that it would never happen.
His concluding words were something like these:
“You know hurtful words are like toothpaste. Once they’ve been said, they can’t be unsaid, and the damage is done. So think carefully about every word you say. Make sure your words and actions are what God would want you to say and do.”
I know it was just a simple children’s sermon, but obviously, its message was one I have remembered now for over twenty years.
His message is not unlike that of this fifth chapter of Ephesians.
“Be careful how you live … ”
The first part of this chapter is filled with admonitions against fornication, impurity, greed, vulgar talk, deceit, disobedience, etc. It’s quite a sobering list, and one we could probably add to with just a little more thought. It is a list of the actions that bring darkness to the world – not the light of Christ.
I like the words used by Eugene Peterson in The Message. Listen to his version of verses 4 – 5.
“Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, Christians have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect. … Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.”
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But we all know how difficult it truly is.
And they do not bring the light of Christ into the world.
The last section of this chapter (5:21 – 6:9) deals with relationships – between husbands and wives, between children and parents, between masters and servants. We may be tempted to think this portion outdated and irrelevant. However, I believe the central message of these verses can be summed up in verse 21:
“Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Or as we read in The Message:
“Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.”
If we believe all are chosen by God;
If we believe all are loved by God;
If we believe all have gifts worthy of building up the Body of Christ;
Then, all are to be treated with reverence and respect.
At the close of a worship service Brad and I attended, we were instructed to turn to someone we did not know and say the following: “Let the Christ in me greet the Christ in you.”
I like that.
Lent is a time when we are called to look within our hearts and souls and see how we are truly living. And if we are honest with ourselves, we may need to make a course correction in our lives, attitudes and actions.
Are we imitating the love of God? Are we living as children of the light?
“Be careful then how you live …”
A wise admonition. A Lenten challenge.
Questions to ponder:
1. Think of the word “care-ful.” Instead of it being a warning, how can we use that word in a positive way as we think about how we are to live? What would it mean for us to positively “live full of care, or caring?”
2. Paul lists things that are not pleasing to God – why does God care about those ways of living that we sometimes take on? How “careful” is God with us?
3. Think of someone that you may not have been “reverent” to in the past few days. How could you mend that relationship, and how differently would you need to act in order to show that “reverence?”
Ephesians 5
Lent, Week 5
Read Ephesians, Chapter Five plus the first nine verses of Chapter Six.
Let me share with you a children’s sermon given by one of my associate pastors.
As the children came forward and sat in a semi-circle around his feet, the pastor took out a tube of toothpaste. He took the cap off and began to squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush. The bristles soon were covered with paste, but he didn’t stop. He continued to squeeze even when the brush was filled… he squeezed even when it fell off the brush and onto the paper he’d placed beneath the brush… he squeezed until there was a pile of toothpaste in his hands.
Finally, he said “Oops! There’s too much here,” and asked the children to help him put it back into the tube. Of course there were cries, “We can’t get it back in!" and "That won’t work!" There were a few helpful suggestions as to how to make it happen … but they all knew (as did the congregation who was listening intently) that it would never happen.
His concluding words were something like these:
“You know hurtful words are like toothpaste. Once they’ve been said, they can’t be unsaid, and the damage is done. So think carefully about every word you say. Make sure your words and actions are what God would want you to say and do.”
I know it was just a simple children’s sermon, but obviously, its message was one I have remembered now for over twenty years.
His message is not unlike that of this fifth chapter of Ephesians.
“Be careful how you live … ”
The first part of this chapter is filled with admonitions against fornication, impurity, greed, vulgar talk, deceit, disobedience, etc. It’s quite a sobering list, and one we could probably add to with just a little more thought. It is a list of the actions that bring darkness to the world – not the light of Christ.
I like the words used by Eugene Peterson in The Message. Listen to his version of verses 4 – 5.
“Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, Christians have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect. … Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.”
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But we all know how difficult it truly is.
- Nothing travels faster than a juicy bit of gossip.
- In our society wanting what everyone else has – or better - has become an art form.
- Sex sells – everything from cars to clothes to soda.
- Vulgar language has become almost so common that we barely take note of it anymore.
And they do not bring the light of Christ into the world.
The last section of this chapter (5:21 – 6:9) deals with relationships – between husbands and wives, between children and parents, between masters and servants. We may be tempted to think this portion outdated and irrelevant. However, I believe the central message of these verses can be summed up in verse 21:
“Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Or as we read in The Message:
“Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.”
If we believe all are chosen by God;
If we believe all are loved by God;
If we believe all have gifts worthy of building up the Body of Christ;
Then, all are to be treated with reverence and respect.
At the close of a worship service Brad and I attended, we were instructed to turn to someone we did not know and say the following: “Let the Christ in me greet the Christ in you.”
I like that.
Lent is a time when we are called to look within our hearts and souls and see how we are truly living. And if we are honest with ourselves, we may need to make a course correction in our lives, attitudes and actions.
Are we imitating the love of God? Are we living as children of the light?
“Be careful then how you live …”
A wise admonition. A Lenten challenge.
Questions to ponder:
1. Think of the word “care-ful.” Instead of it being a warning, how can we use that word in a positive way as we think about how we are to live? What would it mean for us to positively “live full of care, or caring?”
2. Paul lists things that are not pleasing to God – why does God care about those ways of living that we sometimes take on? How “careful” is God with us?
3. Think of someone that you may not have been “reverent” to in the past few days. How could you mend that relationship, and how differently would you need to act in order to show that “reverence?”
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Lenten Devotional, Week 4
Called – To New Life
Ephesians 4
Lent, Week 4
Read Ephesians, Chapter Four.
In the first three chapters, the writer of Ephesians has dealt with some of the great and eternal truths of the Christian faith:
Listen again to verses 1 through 3:
“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
I chose this passage to be our scriptural theme for the 2008 Dakotas Annual Conference, and I chose it for this reason. This chapter is the very heart of what the author of Ephesians is trying to say – to the early churches and to us. First of all, it reminds us of our common calling as disciples of Christ, and secondly, it gives us a guide for how we are to live in community with each other
As we listen to the political dialogue around the various candidates running for office, we hear a great many words used to describe those who seek the highest office in the country. Words such as: leader … visionary … competent … respected … Strong words. Good words.
And yet, what would it look like if instead we measured our candidates by this list in Ephesians?
“Humility ... gentleness ... patience ... bearing with one another in love ... unity ... peace.”
In fact, this list may be a helpful, though difficult, plumbline not just for choosing our country’s leaders, but for measuring the life we have all been called into through Christ. And what makes it so difficult is that these qualities are not necessarily the qualities that our society values.
For instance:
1. “Humility” is a difficult concept to grasp in our society, but the kind of humility the writer of Ephesians speaks of is a humility that places our lives beside the kind of life God envisions for us and honestly looks at the disparity there. True humility comes when we face ourselves and see our weaknesses, our selfishness, our failures, and know that God desires more from us. And know, as well that, with God’s help, we can move closer to that goal.
2. “Gentleness” ... The Greek word used here is “praotes,” which is defined by Aristotle as the midpoint on the continuum between being too angry too often and never being angry at all. In other words, one who is gentle is angry only at the right time, but never at the wrong time.
3. “Patience,” too, has a little different meaning here. The Greek word used is “makrothumia” which has two definitions. One: it describes someone who never gives up and who endures to the end. But it also means being patient with others, as one who has the power to take revenge, but never does.
4. “Bearing with one another in love” - how can we argue with that? But how difficult it is to really live that out!
In a political year when both sides try to tear the other down ... in a corporate world that too often worships the bottom line, and where all too often one is expected to make it to the top by climbing over anyone in the way ... when even the church itself has difficulty loving those who are different ... perhaps this is the most difficult quality of all to embrace.
You see, these are not necessarily the virtues our society sees as important. We easily understand the need for strength and assertiveness and single-mindedness and leadership. But humility ... gentleness ... patience ... love? And yet, it is this second list that brings us closer to becoming one in the body of Christ. Closer to unity.
For, listen to the next few verses of our reading today:
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." (vs. 4-6)
Anything that divides us, divides the Body … divides Christ.
Dan Moseley, Professor of Practical Parish Ministry at the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, has written this about this passage:
“One of the most disorienting things for those of us in the church is to believe that somehow it all depends on us. (We) forget all the other baptized ones who have been received into the body of Christ. Sometimes, the most grounding thing is the one which connects us to the larger reality of the body.”
The work we, as Christians, have been called to do, cannot be done alone. Our common calling as Christians – baptized into the work and life of Christ – is what holds us together.
And, as we read in verses 11 – 13, it is through the many and diverse gifts given to the members of this body that the Body of Christ is strengthened, until …
“all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” (vs. 13)
To live by these rules guides us to new life as the full and complete Body of Christ.
Questions to ponder:
1. Why do we tend to use “powerful” words, like vision, leadership, and independent, as the words we want to live up to, instead of words like humility, gentleness, and patience? What is it about these words that make them less desirable for people in power?
2. What does it mean, or would it mean for you in your life to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called? What is your calling?
3. What keeps us as Christ’s Church from true unity?
Ephesians 4
Lent, Week 4
Read Ephesians, Chapter Four.
In the first three chapters, the writer of Ephesians has dealt with some of the great and eternal truths of the Christian faith:
- Salvation through faith.
- Unity in Christ.
- The abundant power of God at work through all.
Listen again to verses 1 through 3:
“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
I chose this passage to be our scriptural theme for the 2008 Dakotas Annual Conference, and I chose it for this reason. This chapter is the very heart of what the author of Ephesians is trying to say – to the early churches and to us. First of all, it reminds us of our common calling as disciples of Christ, and secondly, it gives us a guide for how we are to live in community with each other
As we listen to the political dialogue around the various candidates running for office, we hear a great many words used to describe those who seek the highest office in the country. Words such as: leader … visionary … competent … respected … Strong words. Good words.
And yet, what would it look like if instead we measured our candidates by this list in Ephesians?
“Humility ... gentleness ... patience ... bearing with one another in love ... unity ... peace.”
In fact, this list may be a helpful, though difficult, plumbline not just for choosing our country’s leaders, but for measuring the life we have all been called into through Christ. And what makes it so difficult is that these qualities are not necessarily the qualities that our society values.
For instance:
1. “Humility” is a difficult concept to grasp in our society, but the kind of humility the writer of Ephesians speaks of is a humility that places our lives beside the kind of life God envisions for us and honestly looks at the disparity there. True humility comes when we face ourselves and see our weaknesses, our selfishness, our failures, and know that God desires more from us. And know, as well that, with God’s help, we can move closer to that goal.
2. “Gentleness” ... The Greek word used here is “praotes,” which is defined by Aristotle as the midpoint on the continuum between being too angry too often and never being angry at all. In other words, one who is gentle is angry only at the right time, but never at the wrong time.
3. “Patience,” too, has a little different meaning here. The Greek word used is “makrothumia” which has two definitions. One: it describes someone who never gives up and who endures to the end. But it also means being patient with others, as one who has the power to take revenge, but never does.
4. “Bearing with one another in love” - how can we argue with that? But how difficult it is to really live that out!
In a political year when both sides try to tear the other down ... in a corporate world that too often worships the bottom line, and where all too often one is expected to make it to the top by climbing over anyone in the way ... when even the church itself has difficulty loving those who are different ... perhaps this is the most difficult quality of all to embrace.
You see, these are not necessarily the virtues our society sees as important. We easily understand the need for strength and assertiveness and single-mindedness and leadership. But humility ... gentleness ... patience ... love? And yet, it is this second list that brings us closer to becoming one in the body of Christ. Closer to unity.
For, listen to the next few verses of our reading today:
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all." (vs. 4-6)
Anything that divides us, divides the Body … divides Christ.
Dan Moseley, Professor of Practical Parish Ministry at the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, has written this about this passage:
“One of the most disorienting things for those of us in the church is to believe that somehow it all depends on us. (We) forget all the other baptized ones who have been received into the body of Christ. Sometimes, the most grounding thing is the one which connects us to the larger reality of the body.”
The work we, as Christians, have been called to do, cannot be done alone. Our common calling as Christians – baptized into the work and life of Christ – is what holds us together.
And, as we read in verses 11 – 13, it is through the many and diverse gifts given to the members of this body that the Body of Christ is strengthened, until …
“all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” (vs. 13)
To live by these rules guides us to new life as the full and complete Body of Christ.
Questions to ponder:
1. Why do we tend to use “powerful” words, like vision, leadership, and independent, as the words we want to live up to, instead of words like humility, gentleness, and patience? What is it about these words that make them less desirable for people in power?
2. What does it mean, or would it mean for you in your life to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called? What is your calling?
3. What keeps us as Christ’s Church from true unity?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Lenten Devotional, Week 3
Called – Into Wisdom
Ephesians 3
Lent, Week 3
Read Ephesians, Chapter Three.
Listen especially to the following words:
“Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ.” (vs. 8)
Jason McElwain was a 17-year-old senior at Greece Athena High School in Greece, N.Y. He had been the faithful manager and constant motivator of his basketball team throughout high school. He was also autistic. Before his team’s final home game the coach told Jason to suit up, and with four minutes to go, the coach put Jason in. It was his first and only chance to play for the team he loved.
In those final few minutes, the crowd, the team, and the coach watched in amazement as the 5-foot-6-inch manager sunk six three-point shots and a two-pointer before being carried off the court on the shoulders of his thrilled teammates. There wasn’t a dry eye in the arena. And as this young man gained national attention for his amazing feat, his excitement was not just for himself, but for his team. “I just want to win as a team, not individually,” he said.
“Although I am the very least of all the saints…”
In this third chapter of Ephesians, the writer reminds us that God’s grace is given to everyone and that each of us has an important part in God’s plan for Creation. It is through this "rich variety" (vs. 10) that God’s wisdom is made known.
We then move into what is called “Paul’s Prayer.”
And what does Paul pray for?
1. Strength – not the physical kind of strength we associate with that word, but an inner strength grounded in the love of Christ; and
2. Wisdom – to understand the breadth, length, height and depth of that love.
These are words we all need to hear, for each of us feels “the very least” in this large, complicated and sometimes overwhelming world. We can always find those who are more gifted, more educated, more insightful, more knowledgeable than we are. And yet … God doesn’t see us as "least" or "best" or "greatest." But God sees each of us as beloved children – grace-filled and chosen.
Why is it so hard for us to do the same?
With that as our perspective, we must view all people in a new light – honoring the grace of God within them and allowing their gifts to strengthen the Body of Christ as a whole.
For God can take our meager gifts, our insufficient wisdom and our very human lives and can accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.
“For to him, who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (vs. 20-21)
May it be so, dear Lord. May it be so.
Questions to ponder:
1. Do you ever feel as though you are the “very least?” What brings those feelings about? Why does envy and rivalry find such an easy place in our lives, along with feelings of inadequacy and lack of self-worth?
2. What does it say about your relationship with God to know that God doesn’t see us as least or best or greatest?
3. Who seems to be “least” in your life right now that you could bring the Good news of God’s love to?
Ephesians 3
Lent, Week 3
Read Ephesians, Chapter Three.
Listen especially to the following words:
“Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ.” (vs. 8)
Jason McElwain was a 17-year-old senior at Greece Athena High School in Greece, N.Y. He had been the faithful manager and constant motivator of his basketball team throughout high school. He was also autistic. Before his team’s final home game the coach told Jason to suit up, and with four minutes to go, the coach put Jason in. It was his first and only chance to play for the team he loved.
In those final few minutes, the crowd, the team, and the coach watched in amazement as the 5-foot-6-inch manager sunk six three-point shots and a two-pointer before being carried off the court on the shoulders of his thrilled teammates. There wasn’t a dry eye in the arena. And as this young man gained national attention for his amazing feat, his excitement was not just for himself, but for his team. “I just want to win as a team, not individually,” he said.
“Although I am the very least of all the saints…”
In this third chapter of Ephesians, the writer reminds us that God’s grace is given to everyone and that each of us has an important part in God’s plan for Creation. It is through this "rich variety" (vs. 10) that God’s wisdom is made known.
We then move into what is called “Paul’s Prayer.”
And what does Paul pray for?
1. Strength – not the physical kind of strength we associate with that word, but an inner strength grounded in the love of Christ; and
2. Wisdom – to understand the breadth, length, height and depth of that love.
These are words we all need to hear, for each of us feels “the very least” in this large, complicated and sometimes overwhelming world. We can always find those who are more gifted, more educated, more insightful, more knowledgeable than we are. And yet … God doesn’t see us as "least" or "best" or "greatest." But God sees each of us as beloved children – grace-filled and chosen.
Why is it so hard for us to do the same?
With that as our perspective, we must view all people in a new light – honoring the grace of God within them and allowing their gifts to strengthen the Body of Christ as a whole.
For God can take our meager gifts, our insufficient wisdom and our very human lives and can accomplish far more than we could ever imagine.
“For to him, who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (vs. 20-21)
May it be so, dear Lord. May it be so.
Questions to ponder:
1. Do you ever feel as though you are the “very least?” What brings those feelings about? Why does envy and rivalry find such an easy place in our lives, along with feelings of inadequacy and lack of self-worth?
2. What does it say about your relationship with God to know that God doesn’t see us as least or best or greatest?
3. Who seems to be “least” in your life right now that you could bring the Good news of God’s love to?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Lenten Devotional, Week 2
Called – To Be One
Ephesians 2
Lent, Week 2
Read Ephesians, Chapter Two.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. … So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:13-14, 19)
Powerful words.
Now go back. Read them again. But this time, read them aloud and read them slowly.
“… far off …” There are many ways of being "far off."
Several weeks ago the Fargo area was shocked to learn that a homeless man had been found frozen to death on the steps of the Roman Catholic Bishop’s home. He had been a frequent visitor there and had often received food and help from the Diocese. But that night, no one was home, and as the temperatures dipped below zero and the knocks on the door went unanswered, there must have been no other place for this man to go. So he lay down on the steps and never awoke.
Friends, there are many ways of being "far off." We’ve all experienced it - and we’ve all seen it:
We live in a world where all too often we allow what divides us to define us. Rich or poor? Democrat or republican? Young or old? Conservative or liberal? Clergy or laity? Male or female? Tall or short?
We define ourselves by these divisive labels and we find our place in the culture and system through them.
But listen again to Ephesians 2:
“For he (Christ) is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.”
What would it look like if we defined ourselves not by what divides us, but instead by what unites us?
“Christ … has made us both one.”
“Christ … has broken down the dividing walls … “
“Christ is our peace.”
Christ didn’t die for just one group. He died for us all.
This Lenten season – and particularly this week in Lent – pray for unity.
Pray daily that through the cross of Christ each of us might find our “one-ness”.
Pray that as we are called to Christ, Christ then calls us to each other.
Questions to ponder:
1. In what area in your life do you feel “far off” and separated from others right now? Who do you know that also might be living “far off” from a group or family, or God’s grace?
2. Is it beyond reason for the writer of Ephesians to say that “Christ has made us both one?” In what ways is that not true? In what ways might it be true after all?
3. If indeed Christ died for all, what group of persons in your world right now most need your acceptance and one-ness with them? Why is it so hard for us to think of being “united” with those persons?
Ephesians 2
Lent, Week 2
Read Ephesians, Chapter Two.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility. … So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:13-14, 19)
Powerful words.
Now go back. Read them again. But this time, read them aloud and read them slowly.
“… far off …” There are many ways of being "far off."
Several weeks ago the Fargo area was shocked to learn that a homeless man had been found frozen to death on the steps of the Roman Catholic Bishop’s home. He had been a frequent visitor there and had often received food and help from the Diocese. But that night, no one was home, and as the temperatures dipped below zero and the knocks on the door went unanswered, there must have been no other place for this man to go. So he lay down on the steps and never awoke.
Friends, there are many ways of being "far off." We’ve all experienced it - and we’ve all seen it:
- In the face of the man standing on the corner with the sign “Will Work for Food."
- In the eyes of the person who has been hurt.
- In the body language of the woman sitting alone in the ICU waiting room.
- In the body language of the person whose words have just been rejected.
We live in a world where all too often we allow what divides us to define us. Rich or poor? Democrat or republican? Young or old? Conservative or liberal? Clergy or laity? Male or female? Tall or short?
We define ourselves by these divisive labels and we find our place in the culture and system through them.
But listen again to Ephesians 2:
“For he (Christ) is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.”
What would it look like if we defined ourselves not by what divides us, but instead by what unites us?
“Christ … has made us both one.”
“Christ … has broken down the dividing walls … “
“Christ is our peace.”
Christ didn’t die for just one group. He died for us all.
This Lenten season – and particularly this week in Lent – pray for unity.
Pray daily that through the cross of Christ each of us might find our “one-ness”.
Pray that as we are called to Christ, Christ then calls us to each other.
Questions to ponder:
1. In what area in your life do you feel “far off” and separated from others right now? Who do you know that also might be living “far off” from a group or family, or God’s grace?
2. Is it beyond reason for the writer of Ephesians to say that “Christ has made us both one?” In what ways is that not true? In what ways might it be true after all?
3. If indeed Christ died for all, what group of persons in your world right now most need your acceptance and one-ness with them? Why is it so hard for us to think of being “united” with those persons?
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