Lectionary for August 12th.
Some good stuff this week, I could easily use the gospel but since I'm not preaching I get to occasionally use what speaks to me, not to someone else. Here's the text from Hebrews for this week:
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. [...] 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old--and Sarah herself was barren--because he considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."Faith and journey. Exactly the right thing for me at the moment, no? What is discernment but setting out on a journey without knowing the destination or the road. Discernment is much like Abraham, it requires saying "Yes." Abraham could have said no, he could have stayed in his own land, safe with his flocks and his family and remained just another wanderer. God did not force or coerce or trick him into his journey.
God offered, and Abraham said "Yes." That was all it took, saying yes, and God had a people. I can see myself in Abraham, safe and comfortable in my life. I'm younger, yes, but established and settled. I have a home, I've built a life that most would call comfortable and content. I have no reason to go haring off on some fool journey into the unknown.
But I said "yes." It took me awhile, but I suspect it took Abraham awhile as well. I will wander as well. Though I haven't moved yet, the stakes I had put down in this life have already been uprooted. There is no turning back. The land behind isn't home anymore and I do have faith that somewhere, out of sight in the distance is a new land. I don't know where my feet will be next year, where my head will find its pillow. In three years, four? Where then?
I'm no longer fresh out of college, wet behind the ears, young and eager. But God works in God's own time. God doesn't seem to care about how old we are or how set in our ways. God can use us, shape up, reform us if we let him. If we accept that change and step forward in trust.
There is the crux of it all, isn't it? Trust, and acceptance. And those two things lead us to the the first line of the reading from Luke. One little sentence that makes me smile:
Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."How I wish there was some way, any way to make this congregation understand and feel those words. Do not be afraid. There is a sermon in there, an entire sermon in those four words. For me they speak as well. I have accepted, I am learning to trust. And greatest miracle? I am no longer afraid...
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