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Just this past weekend there was terrible flooding in South Carolina and one of the most powerful images and testimony to come out of that awful situation, was the story of Grandmother and her grandson clinging for dear life to a large Cross recently uprooted in front of a small church. It’s interesting to note about all the media pictures of this cross that essentially they are cropped to hide the edges and distinctions which would identify it as a cross… So much like our age to hide away the reality of the cross lest it offend the PC police…
The grateful but shaken grandmother proclaims boldly to
reporters: “I was literally, after I got out of the car, holding onto the
cross. I was clinging to the cross..."
She continues to say: "Jesus is my savior, this story is not about
me; this is about what He did to save me." Wow—talk about letting go &
letting God! What a powerful and amazing witness, not only about her faith but
how in essence she had to trust completely and surrender to the situation that
indeed she would be saved in more ways than one.
Trust and surrender are those very frightening steps we
all must take in order to live into the Gospel imperative. A shorter and even
more precise word for incorporating trust and surrender is CHANGE. Change let’s
face it, is very difficult for us, we don’t like it and we nearly try anything
and everything to avoid it! Living with no real accountability and surface
integrity doesn’t go too far… For if we refuse to change or grow, we can only truthfully
wither and die both spiritually and literally… We are seeing and experiencing a
world currently turning away from God and living darkly into the false promises
of an Old Nature treasure’ trove.
The elderly woman in my illustration had to literally
save herself by grabbing, clinging to the cross of Christ… In regards to our
spiritual formation journeys, when we spiritually need to face or are forced to
face inevitable consequences or needed transitions in our lives—do we run and
cling to that cross? Or are we more often tempted and lured into quick and
empty illusions of worldly answers? Speaking for myself the “mantra” of faith from
Philippians chapter four of “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me,” is essentially what got me through seminary (and candidacy…) and is still
motivating me to transform, spiritually grow for the better of my neighbor and
the love of God.
In a fairly short time, forty seven years rooted in one
place will drastically physically and spiritually change… for my husband and I
will be making the move out west! I have never lived anywhere outside of
Illinois and most of my life has been lived either in Chicago proper or just
outside it. Phil however has lived in seven states, one territory and two
foreign countries… Now both his sister
& I will share something in common since she lived some 50 plus years in
California before moving to the hilly plains of Jefferson City Missouri. She’s
still not used to rain or snow!
Speaking of comfort zones, it’s interesting to think
about the story of Amos coming outside of his in southern Judah in some sense,
in order to preach as an outsider to the north about the inner change God would
like us to make in regards to being accountable and creating integrity. What is
integrity? What builds it as a person of
faith? According to various sources it is about honesty or includes
honesty. It is also defined and is in
solidarity to: sincerity, truth and virtue. All of these are New Nature goals
that take a life time’s spiritual formation to grow. Doing is a lot more spiritually motivating
than trying. It is that fear factor that
always somehow sees us fall short. Amos’
initiative was remarkable and something to be envied! If we are truthfully
going strive to champion the Gospel imperative to the world; we need this kind
of perseverance and persistance!
There is definitely similarities in some senses with how
Jesus’ Divine & radical message to this young rich man sounded way outside and
beyond the comfort zone of what this rich young man yet alone most likely his
peers were willing to commit to. Today’s culture as well, is nearly disciplined
to a “have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too” mentality over and above an action
motivated by Love and commanded by Grace. Works righteousness has become a
man-made solution to paying lip-service or platitudes to Grace-produced works
of faith. A new kind of legalism that puffs and supports the ego but still
supports the sad structure of greed and indifference against God and neighbor.
Humility from a faith that lives graciously into the
promise of the Kingdom produces true spiritual integrity—character and purpose
as a New Natured child of God. You will always find yourself going back to
those who have left a strong impression upon you. At some point of your discipleship,
those who have nurtured and encouraged your spiritual formation journey will
and are blessings of God’s timing and presence... A true part of being or living faithfully
into the Body is allowing God to use you and as echoed in a recent essay I
wrote about pastoral leadership… It’s
not about you but what you do through Grace in faith to love God and neighbor.
Six years is not a perfect number in Biblical standards,
perhaps it is incomplete or perhaps fear is making it seem insecure. BUT we
aren’t perfect, this we seem to continually or conveniently try to forget! It
has been six whole years going on seven that I have been mentored primarily by
one pastor. From congregant, to vicar to associate pastor, I continue to
greatly value what Pastor Eric has challenged me with in order to grow to
serve. He has never enabled more than truly encouraged… as he shared with me in
study preparation for this Sunday—you have to love to serve and it’s letting
God work and letting go of all that encumbers you…
In many ways loving service means embracing the unknown
territories not only on land but in the turf-war battles between God and Satan for
your heart. The Evil One’s empty
promises build that Jacob’s Ladder to satiate the Ego’s glory fortifying that
Old Nature treasure’ trove. Christ Jesus and the Kingdom of God and all its
righteousness meanwhile bring us down to the reality of what we must face in the
here and now of this world as His disciples.
True “prosperity” is the beauty of the fruit of the
Kingdom LIVED naturally through Grace by faith. Your faith is only as authentic
as you truthfully live it with the Holy Spirit guiding your steps and the love
of God renewing your life. Being and
becoming a freely responsible servant to the Gospel imperative is to embrace
always transforming, growing into that vocation—commission to be, become an
active member of the priesthood of all believers.
Some nineteen hundred something miles away from here lies
a brand new destiny… and the only way I will be able to truly and faithfully
serve the Gospel imperative is by breaking completely away from that chrysalis
and becoming that New Nature butterfly.
Soaring high above in the beauty and Hope of God’s landscape of Grace—painting
His New purpose for my life with each stride made to serve through love, truth
and compassion.
Let us Pray—
Loving and ever-Gracious God,
Help us to keep vigilant in that turf-war
Help us to seek good and never evil
May the glory of Your Kingdom
Be born as the gracious fruits of our hands and feet
In unity, integrity in all we DO and say Your behalf
May we spiritually transform to realize
This New frontier, New purpose as Your New-Natured
children
For Your Love, Through Your Love for neighbor
Now and always
Amen
October 11th,
2015; 20th Sunday after Pentecost; Proper 23; Year B; SOLA Lectionary
Sermon by
Reverend Nicole A.M. Collins
Psalm 90:12-17;
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19 & Mark 10:17-22
The link below is from this morning's 8am house church service:
https://youtu.be/voolrtclcW8
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