Before "Go Ye Therefore"
As we move into our new theme, “Go ye therefore,” we can readily see signs all around us…in the church and beyond…that the Presence of God is desperately needed. As we hear the news that tens of thousands of Hurricane Harvey victims had to leave behind all they had and now walk into uncertain futures, we are brought to tears. As we continue to receive a steady diet of news that reminds us that violence, unbridled greed and the quest to acquire power at all costs is alive and well, we feel deflated. When we come to church and are reminded that we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in this frenzied world, we dread the idea of moving closer to the chaos.
And then we look at things closer to home. We may deal with family situations that cause heartache and distress, many that seem to have arisen since the world moved into what feels like a chronic state of anxiety. School has started for some of us, and while that is an exciting time, it also brings its share of challenges. Searching for comfort, we find ourselves making our way to the church, and while there we hear that we need to find our place, get connected and contribute. Apart from the constraints of time and physical availability, we may be wondering whether we have any emotional and spiritual energy left to offer.
Are you depressed yet? I definitely would be if I didn’t hear the voice of God in the midst of all. Yesterday’s lectionary text from Matthew 16 told us of Jesus’ encounter with Peter where Jesus referred to him as a “stumbling block.” Peter had earlier identified Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” At that moment, Jesus had declared that, because of Peter’s Spirit-given insight, he would build his church upon Peter, the rock. Soon after, we see Peter misunderstanding the true intent of Jesus’ messiahship. When that occurred, Jesus saw Peter as one who is actually trying to thwart his divine mission. The reason for Peter’s confusion? Jesus speaks plainly to him and says, “you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
There is the word for us! If we desire to be lifted from the mire of human things, we need to set our minds on the things of the divine. You see, God, as only God can do, births the possible from that which is barren and raises to life that which to us appears dead and gone. As we wonder how and when and where to take our first step, God is the one who offers us life-giving direction. God is the only one who can open us to the particular places at Hayes Barton and beyond, that when matched with our unique spiritual gifts, will bring life to us, the church and the world. Looking to the Divine is the way that we will get the answers we need and feel the peace that our souls long for.
I look forward to walking with you as we seek to get connected and make steps to bring the Kingdom of God more fully into today. But, as Jesus spoke plainly to Peter, I offer you a frank word. Don’t try to connect anywhere without seeking the things of the divine. Serving God without listening to God’s voice can be a draining experience, and now more than ever before in my lifetime, we need to be filled with life. Be still. Listen. Drink in what you hear. The life-giving ways of God await all of us who are open and seek with our whole hearts. Let’s turn our minds to the things to divine things and watch what God will do!
