Sitting in church on a Sunday morning, listening to the sermon. You expect to hear a sermon when you're at a worship service. You don't always get to see them.
My pastor has had his fair share of stress and difficulty lately - he and his wife are going through a separation. No surprise that such an occurrence would leave someone a bit down and out - and that's about what he's been - just down.
Sunday morning he was preaching on Matthew 6:24-34, with a sermon he'd titled 'Sermon for the Heart.' I wonder if he knew that he'd be speaking not just from his heart, but possibly to his own heart.
The gospel lesson speaks to the idea that we are precious to God - more important than lowly sparrows. It also states that we cannot serve two masters - most particularly, God and money. We are not to worry about the insignificant things of life, because we can't add time to our days by doing so. God takes care of us. That's all that matters.
My pastor certainly has something to worry about in his life right now, and most would say a separation is hardly insignificant. They'd be right - after all, he has three kids - and while a separation would be hard enough, it would be even tougher when you are looking at it from six eyes that are wondering what's going on as well.
As he was preaching on Sunday, the cold he's been fighting showed its power and sent him into a coughing fit. He calmed his cough, apologized for the interruption, and moved on.
A minute later, something beautiful happened. His wife walked up the side aisle, walked right up to the pulpit, and handed him a glass of water. Just that, nothing more.
I have no idea if anyone else thought that simple gesture was as beautiful as I did. I have no idea if anyone else even thought twice about it. But I saw it. I noticed. I'm sure God did too as the real sermon was preached that morning.
What was perhaps even more profound to me was the rest of the other 'sermon' that followed - and how perfectly it explained the moment that had just taken place.
'Is God's love a drop [or a glass] of water that comes into your life at one moment?' 'Jesus came not for those who deserve to be loved (after all, none of us do anyway...), it came not for those who feel they are good enough. Jesus came - he comes when we need him, in the most profound, yet simple way possible.'
Knowing what is going on can either be a painful reality or a window into the simplicity of how God is at work. Trusting in faith, trying not to worry, seeing that tomorrow is a new day.
'Faith is believing God is with you even when none of your senses can perceive his presence.' God, let us cling with every part of our being to the moments when all of our senses are overcome with your glory. That way, when we feel the void that comes with doubt and uncertainty, we have somewhere to look, something to remember, a glorious, wonderful moment when we realize that you are always there - in every drop of water.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Can two walk together?
Amos 3:3 -
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (KJV)
Do two walk together unless they have made an appointment? (NRSV)
Two people will not walk together unless they have agreed to do so. (NCV)
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (NLT)
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? (NIV)
Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren't going to the same place? (MSG)
Can two people walk together without agreeing to meet? (CEV)
Shall two walk together, except they have agreed? (ASV)
Do two walk together if they have not met? (YLT)
This verse appeared in a recent Bible study as one of the theme verses for a leader's Bible study that I recently led for the leaders of some of the women's circles in my church. The verse appeared in the study as the first one, and my own Bible that I'd brought with held the second verse. I had heard the verse before, and was of course struck again by the differing possible connotations between the two translations.
Add to this that I had just finished a conversation earlier in the afternoon with a friend regarding her continued decision to break off a relationship with another friend that she had a disagreement with a few weeks ago. After declaring that she had 'realized what some people deserve,' she made it clear that she had no desire to spend any more time with the person in question. However, as both she and the other friend both spend time in our larger group of friends, it was inevitable that at some point, the two would likely see each other if they continued to both participate.
Then, the other night, a handful of us decided to get together and play some games, and both of them were there. Didn't seem like a big deal, no arguments, it actually didn't appear that anything happened at all. I guess we hadn't seen everything that went on, according to this friend.
This led to another conversation, where it was asserted that the only people she still trusted were me, my boyfriend, and another mutual friend, stating that she was mad at the other five friends for 'talking behind her back.' That's a lot of anger to keep track of.
I am amazed and amused sometimes at God's timing, and the different elements that he causes to converge in our lives. Just a bit later that day, as I was perusing the realm that is facebook, I happened to see one of my youth that had posted a status asking if drama got better as people got older. A smile, perhaps a disappointed one, immediately crept across my lips. No, no child, drama does not go away. People instead just find new and more creative ways to perpetuate it in their own lives.
That same evening is the night that I led the Bible study that contained the verse above, and the study itself was focused on loving relationships, and learning to get along with people with whom we might not see eye to eye with. I would have given anything to have my friend there to hear it.
But would she have heard it? I don't know. After you've 'realized what people do and don't deserve,' can you still hear that message? It breaks my heart, really, more than anything. I am stuck in a situation again that is riddled with frustration, confusion, anger, and uncertainty. Instead of being able to simply round up the troops and have fun together, people are left wondering how much has to be done to avoid potential further drama. Do we invite her if the other friend will be there? Do we not invite her and run the risk of her feeling left out? Should we really have to deal with the issues of another adult that should be dealing with the issues on her own instead of creating more of them? I don't know.
Now the question seems to be asking which is better, confronting an issue or letting things go that we can't control? However, the definitions of each I think are misunderstood in this question. Confronting, not to be confused with attacking, is a valuable tool that can be used to further understand the issue at hand. Both sides must state their position, and both sides must listen to the other position. Confrontation can be risky, because it forces us to hear and understand what we have sometimes worked so hard to ignore or explain away.
Letting things go, on the other hand, is not merely refusing to deal with an issue in an attempt to pretend it is no longer around. Instead, letting something go is akin to forgiveness, and requires just as much effort, often, as a confrontation would. Letting something go might mean no longer pursuing a friendship or relationship, but it might possibly also mean being willing to let go of our pride and start over again in the relationship. This must be done with the understanding that what was said or done is no longer relevant to the relationship, and that both people are able to interact in a regular manner.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (KJV)
Do two walk together unless they have made an appointment? (NRSV)
Two people will not walk together unless they have agreed to do so. (NCV)
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (NLT)
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? (NIV)
Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren't going to the same place? (MSG)
Can two people walk together without agreeing to meet? (CEV)
Shall two walk together, except they have agreed? (ASV)
Do two walk together if they have not met? (YLT)
This verse appeared in a recent Bible study as one of the theme verses for a leader's Bible study that I recently led for the leaders of some of the women's circles in my church. The verse appeared in the study as the first one, and my own Bible that I'd brought with held the second verse. I had heard the verse before, and was of course struck again by the differing possible connotations between the two translations.
Add to this that I had just finished a conversation earlier in the afternoon with a friend regarding her continued decision to break off a relationship with another friend that she had a disagreement with a few weeks ago. After declaring that she had 'realized what some people deserve,' she made it clear that she had no desire to spend any more time with the person in question. However, as both she and the other friend both spend time in our larger group of friends, it was inevitable that at some point, the two would likely see each other if they continued to both participate.
Then, the other night, a handful of us decided to get together and play some games, and both of them were there. Didn't seem like a big deal, no arguments, it actually didn't appear that anything happened at all. I guess we hadn't seen everything that went on, according to this friend.
This led to another conversation, where it was asserted that the only people she still trusted were me, my boyfriend, and another mutual friend, stating that she was mad at the other five friends for 'talking behind her back.' That's a lot of anger to keep track of.
I am amazed and amused sometimes at God's timing, and the different elements that he causes to converge in our lives. Just a bit later that day, as I was perusing the realm that is facebook, I happened to see one of my youth that had posted a status asking if drama got better as people got older. A smile, perhaps a disappointed one, immediately crept across my lips. No, no child, drama does not go away. People instead just find new and more creative ways to perpetuate it in their own lives.
That same evening is the night that I led the Bible study that contained the verse above, and the study itself was focused on loving relationships, and learning to get along with people with whom we might not see eye to eye with. I would have given anything to have my friend there to hear it.
But would she have heard it? I don't know. After you've 'realized what people do and don't deserve,' can you still hear that message? It breaks my heart, really, more than anything. I am stuck in a situation again that is riddled with frustration, confusion, anger, and uncertainty. Instead of being able to simply round up the troops and have fun together, people are left wondering how much has to be done to avoid potential further drama. Do we invite her if the other friend will be there? Do we not invite her and run the risk of her feeling left out? Should we really have to deal with the issues of another adult that should be dealing with the issues on her own instead of creating more of them? I don't know.
Now the question seems to be asking which is better, confronting an issue or letting things go that we can't control? However, the definitions of each I think are misunderstood in this question. Confronting, not to be confused with attacking, is a valuable tool that can be used to further understand the issue at hand. Both sides must state their position, and both sides must listen to the other position. Confrontation can be risky, because it forces us to hear and understand what we have sometimes worked so hard to ignore or explain away.
Letting things go, on the other hand, is not merely refusing to deal with an issue in an attempt to pretend it is no longer around. Instead, letting something go is akin to forgiveness, and requires just as much effort, often, as a confrontation would. Letting something go might mean no longer pursuing a friendship or relationship, but it might possibly also mean being willing to let go of our pride and start over again in the relationship. This must be done with the understanding that what was said or done is no longer relevant to the relationship, and that both people are able to interact in a regular manner.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Flow of Life
I was on facebook this morning, just like normal, poking around and skimming through the news feed learning about all of the important things going on in everyone's life. Well, mostly important. Or maybe not so important at all. :) Either way, it's entertaining.
I came across one status that read: 'Husbands and wives...be united and committed in every decision you make!' Sounds good, it seems like it would be a good idea to be on the same page when you're living life together. But, as is often the case, my mind likes to play with statements like that - especially when they come from certain folks, and place them in all sorts of different circumstances.
I should add a disclaimer that I am not married. I am dating someone - and we have made decisions together. I know it's not the same, so I am coming from a different reference point. So, read with a grain of salt.
I started playing the devil's advocate and thought, 'sure, it sounds good, but people, even spouses *gasp* are going to have differing opinions on some things, so every decision can't be united!' I know that's not even the point that was being made, but that's where my mind went. The status didn't say agree on everything, it said 'be united and committed.' It's a good thing - especially if there are kids involved. Not being united and committed in a decision is a great way to create animosity between parents and their kids - when one parent downplays a decision made by another in front of them. Not a good thing.
But then I was reading another facebook status that mentioned a pastor friend of mine who had written his sermon for the upcoming Sunday on Acts 5:1-16. The first 11 verses of that passage are about Ananias and Sapphira - a husband and wife that made a united and committed decision together - to lie to the apostles. The husband had sold a piece of land, and with his wife's knowledge, decided to tell a lie and use that lie to withhold some of the proceeds from the land. The thing is, he could have given or kept whatever proceeds from the land he wanted, but in order to, well, make himself look more generous I suppose, he and his wife decided to say that they had sold the land for a lesser price.
When confronted by Peter, who reminded him that the land and the money were at his disposal anyway, Ananias heard the words, fell down, and died. His lie had consumed him. Then, his wife later came in, and not knowing what had happened, kept up the same lie when she was asked about the land price. Peter had confronted her too - and she died just like her husband.
They had made a united decision and committed to it. This particular decision happened to be a destructive one. It's interesting how something that in practice should be such a good thing can be twisted and used for something harmful.
Fear seized the church. Fear often seized the church...and this is the first time the word 'church' is used to mean the fellowship of those who follow Jesus.
So, be united...commit...just make sure that you are willing to deal with the consequences that come if you are using your unity for less than honorable gain.
I came across one status that read: 'Husbands and wives...be united and committed in every decision you make!' Sounds good, it seems like it would be a good idea to be on the same page when you're living life together. But, as is often the case, my mind likes to play with statements like that - especially when they come from certain folks, and place them in all sorts of different circumstances.
I should add a disclaimer that I am not married. I am dating someone - and we have made decisions together. I know it's not the same, so I am coming from a different reference point. So, read with a grain of salt.
I started playing the devil's advocate and thought, 'sure, it sounds good, but people, even spouses *gasp* are going to have differing opinions on some things, so every decision can't be united!' I know that's not even the point that was being made, but that's where my mind went. The status didn't say agree on everything, it said 'be united and committed.' It's a good thing - especially if there are kids involved. Not being united and committed in a decision is a great way to create animosity between parents and their kids - when one parent downplays a decision made by another in front of them. Not a good thing.
But then I was reading another facebook status that mentioned a pastor friend of mine who had written his sermon for the upcoming Sunday on Acts 5:1-16. The first 11 verses of that passage are about Ananias and Sapphira - a husband and wife that made a united and committed decision together - to lie to the apostles. The husband had sold a piece of land, and with his wife's knowledge, decided to tell a lie and use that lie to withhold some of the proceeds from the land. The thing is, he could have given or kept whatever proceeds from the land he wanted, but in order to, well, make himself look more generous I suppose, he and his wife decided to say that they had sold the land for a lesser price.
When confronted by Peter, who reminded him that the land and the money were at his disposal anyway, Ananias heard the words, fell down, and died. His lie had consumed him. Then, his wife later came in, and not knowing what had happened, kept up the same lie when she was asked about the land price. Peter had confronted her too - and she died just like her husband.
They had made a united decision and committed to it. This particular decision happened to be a destructive one. It's interesting how something that in practice should be such a good thing can be twisted and used for something harmful.
Fear seized the church. Fear often seized the church...and this is the first time the word 'church' is used to mean the fellowship of those who follow Jesus.
So, be united...commit...just make sure that you are willing to deal with the consequences that come if you are using your unity for less than honorable gain.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Blog titles, and then some.
What a strange night.
Sometimes, you just feel off. I dunno, I guess maybe it's because it was kind of an odd day yesterday and I didn't have a chance to properly sort it out with Logan being out of town. It's possible that has a lot to do with it.
It is strange for me sometimes when that happens, because I have this odd habit of having conversations in my head before I have them with the actual person. The strange thing is when I plan out the conversations, but don't actually have them, at least not the way I intended to. It's almost like mental lockup - I feel like I dealt with part of it, but not all of it and am just stuck in neutral in my head.
Even so, somehow, saying goodnight, getting not one but two goodnight hugs and kisses makes it better. Maybe just makes my mind quiet down a bit, I'm not sure. I think sometimes, it may even be better when I don't get to have all of the conversations I want to when I want to...because sometimes in the heat or intrigue of the moment, I might be tempted to take things and escalate them to a level that simply doesn't need to happen.
I had a sad conversation with a friend of mine who is going through a separation from their spouse at the moment...and couldn't even comprehend hearing the words he heard. What puts you in a place that makes you not even want to try? I guess I am fortunate to be in a place where that is foreign to me.
“Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side.”
Sometimes, you just feel off. I dunno, I guess maybe it's because it was kind of an odd day yesterday and I didn't have a chance to properly sort it out with Logan being out of town. It's possible that has a lot to do with it.
It is strange for me sometimes when that happens, because I have this odd habit of having conversations in my head before I have them with the actual person. The strange thing is when I plan out the conversations, but don't actually have them, at least not the way I intended to. It's almost like mental lockup - I feel like I dealt with part of it, but not all of it and am just stuck in neutral in my head.
Even so, somehow, saying goodnight, getting not one but two goodnight hugs and kisses makes it better. Maybe just makes my mind quiet down a bit, I'm not sure. I think sometimes, it may even be better when I don't get to have all of the conversations I want to when I want to...because sometimes in the heat or intrigue of the moment, I might be tempted to take things and escalate them to a level that simply doesn't need to happen.
I had a sad conversation with a friend of mine who is going through a separation from their spouse at the moment...and couldn't even comprehend hearing the words he heard. What puts you in a place that makes you not even want to try? I guess I am fortunate to be in a place where that is foreign to me.
“Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side.”
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
One Way, or Another...
Today, was conflicting. Interestingly enough...not for me so much...but all kinds of things going on with everyone else. The day began innocently enough. We had breakfast at Perkins with the Youth Director crew. I knew the morning was going to be a little...interesting? First time talking to the couple since their engagement on Saturday. I dunno, I just thought it might be awkward. It wasn't so bad, and I got the truncated version of the engagement. It involved snowmen. Then, after a comment about 'being in my house and not seeing me,' we wrapped up breakfast and moved on. I spent the morning at work, and then decided to do lunch with a friend since Logan was out of town for work. Had no idea how exciting that would be. Turns out this particular friend had her own ideas about the engagement. That pretty much took up the entire lunch hour. Many, many different things.
Then, after lunch, I find out later on that another friend just moved out and separated from her husband. Just like that.
Then, I had a conversation and coffee with the friend who just got engaged. Some good conversation that helped to put things into perspective.
And then, I get told (in not so many words) that 'I used to be fat, but hey, how do you tell someone that...' Sheesh.
And the night ends with volleyball.
What a weird day.
Then, after lunch, I find out later on that another friend just moved out and separated from her husband. Just like that.
Then, I had a conversation and coffee with the friend who just got engaged. Some good conversation that helped to put things into perspective.
And then, I get told (in not so many words) that 'I used to be fat, but hey, how do you tell someone that...' Sheesh.
And the night ends with volleyball.
What a weird day.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
My Wishlist of Cool things I've come across...
Part of the downfall of my random web surfing (Is it really a downfall? Maybe, maybe not...) is that I come across all kinds of random things all the time, some of which are quite intriguing. So, since I am terrible at coming up with gift wishlists for people, I thought I'd make it easy on myself and just make a running list of some of these things.
Silicone Muffin Cups - Reusable muffin 'papers!' and you don't even need a muffin pan.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NBODLI/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000FPX4GC&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=07Z79TKY41S5BR67XXZ6
-or-
http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Easy-Silicone-Baking-Count/dp/B000FPX4GC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1268946738&sr=8-1
Anatomy for the Artist - Found this book at Barnes and Noble the other day - after paging through it, I thought it would be a really fun way to get back into sketching the human body.
http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Artist-Sarah-Simblet/dp/078948045X
Coffee Cup Power Converter - From our friends at ThinkGeek! - This is great - a power adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter and powers up to three things at once. Best of all, it fits in your cup holder for easy access!!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travelpower/b29e/
Silicone Muffin Cups - Reusable muffin 'papers!' and you don't even need a muffin pan.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NBODLI/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000FPX4GC&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=07Z79TKY41S5BR67XXZ6
-or-
http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Easy-Silicone-Baking-Count/dp/B000FPX4GC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1268946738&sr=8-1
Anatomy for the Artist - Found this book at Barnes and Noble the other day - after paging through it, I thought it would be a really fun way to get back into sketching the human body.
http://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Artist-Sarah-Simblet/dp/078948045X
Coffee Cup Power Converter - From our friends at ThinkGeek! - This is great - a power adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter and powers up to three things at once. Best of all, it fits in your cup holder for easy access!!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/travelpower/b29e/
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Interpreting the Gospels
I had Bible study this morning - with a group of pastors. It happens every week, and I try to make it when I can, because the discussions that happen are generally good ones, and I usually either learn something or gain some insight in one way or another. I confess, though, that on occasion, when a certain pastor comes, I will often choose not to go. :)
I don't know what it is, exactly, but it seems like when he's there, the discussion ends up being a lot of interesting ideas that get shot down by that pastor, because clearly, for one reason or another, it has nothing to do with whatever particular idea someone else has come up with because the original Greek isn't in the right tense or something like that. It's frustrating, and it often seems like I'm not the only one that feels that way. Today's particular topic at one point explored the idea of Jesus being the greatest (not an odd revelation), but this turned into a discussion that eventually led to, '...but was Jesus the greatest artist? Or the greatest carpenter? Because I've never seen a piece of artwork that was designed by him, or a piece of furniture that had his mark on it...' which was followed up by another pastor remarking jokingly, 'Jesus: King of kings, Lord of lords, and plumber of plumbers.' I had to grin. No, I've never seen a piece of Jesus' furniture either. But I'm pretty sure that when Jesus said, 'I've come to prepare a place for you', it didn't mean he was going to build the bed and the night stand. The same pastor also brought up a quote heard somewhere, that went something like, 'If we can't see creation happening, is God still creating? If we can't hear God creating, is creation still happening?' The answer is, of course, yes. His explanation was that our blindness often keeps us from seeing such things. Sometimes, this is true. However, it is just as true that sometimes things are happening that we are incapable of seeing with the naked eye - like blood running through the veins of a human body, or the water running and fish swimming underneath the ice of a frozen lake.
We did have an interesting discussion later on about the Psalms, and got around to talking about praying Psalm 88 with people that are struggling with pain and depression and losses of various sorts. You see, Psalm 88 doesn't resolve - there's not really a single happy thought in it. This made me think about two different things - 1) How often do we look for 'sitcom answers' in the scriptures, and in our prayers? Certainly there are times when we need to be told things will be okay eventually, but just as often, we need to know in our despair that we are not the only one that has ever felt this way. We hear all the time that God's timing is not like our own, and God does not work on our timetables. This means that there are going to be times when suffering is simply not going to go away for the time being. It isn't going to resolve in 30 minutes with hugs and 'I love you, Dad's' like in Full House. The pain might last...for the week...or the year.
Thank God we are not the ones responsible for our own salvation, and for the salvation of others. Thank God we are not the ones who have to judge our neighbors and decide if they are worthy of our forgiveness and trust. One thing that was said earlier today caught my attention so firmly that it has been rolling around in my mind since. This morning's text was from John 1 - Where John the Baptist speaks about Jesus being the Lamb of God. One of my own pastors had this to say in regards to John the Baptist's listeners: "Thank you John, now we see that you're not the one."
May we all be able to slide gracefully out of the way when the purpose for our lives has been completed, so that our followers can say the same of us...
"Thank you Jen, now we see that you're not the one." :)
I don't know what it is, exactly, but it seems like when he's there, the discussion ends up being a lot of interesting ideas that get shot down by that pastor, because clearly, for one reason or another, it has nothing to do with whatever particular idea someone else has come up with because the original Greek isn't in the right tense or something like that. It's frustrating, and it often seems like I'm not the only one that feels that way. Today's particular topic at one point explored the idea of Jesus being the greatest (not an odd revelation), but this turned into a discussion that eventually led to, '...but was Jesus the greatest artist? Or the greatest carpenter? Because I've never seen a piece of artwork that was designed by him, or a piece of furniture that had his mark on it...' which was followed up by another pastor remarking jokingly, 'Jesus: King of kings, Lord of lords, and plumber of plumbers.' I had to grin. No, I've never seen a piece of Jesus' furniture either. But I'm pretty sure that when Jesus said, 'I've come to prepare a place for you', it didn't mean he was going to build the bed and the night stand. The same pastor also brought up a quote heard somewhere, that went something like, 'If we can't see creation happening, is God still creating? If we can't hear God creating, is creation still happening?' The answer is, of course, yes. His explanation was that our blindness often keeps us from seeing such things. Sometimes, this is true. However, it is just as true that sometimes things are happening that we are incapable of seeing with the naked eye - like blood running through the veins of a human body, or the water running and fish swimming underneath the ice of a frozen lake.
We did have an interesting discussion later on about the Psalms, and got around to talking about praying Psalm 88 with people that are struggling with pain and depression and losses of various sorts. You see, Psalm 88 doesn't resolve - there's not really a single happy thought in it. This made me think about two different things - 1) How often do we look for 'sitcom answers' in the scriptures, and in our prayers? Certainly there are times when we need to be told things will be okay eventually, but just as often, we need to know in our despair that we are not the only one that has ever felt this way. We hear all the time that God's timing is not like our own, and God does not work on our timetables. This means that there are going to be times when suffering is simply not going to go away for the time being. It isn't going to resolve in 30 minutes with hugs and 'I love you, Dad's' like in Full House. The pain might last...for the week...or the year.
Thank God we are not the ones responsible for our own salvation, and for the salvation of others. Thank God we are not the ones who have to judge our neighbors and decide if they are worthy of our forgiveness and trust. One thing that was said earlier today caught my attention so firmly that it has been rolling around in my mind since. This morning's text was from John 1 - Where John the Baptist speaks about Jesus being the Lamb of God. One of my own pastors had this to say in regards to John the Baptist's listeners: "Thank you John, now we see that you're not the one."
May we all be able to slide gracefully out of the way when the purpose for our lives has been completed, so that our followers can say the same of us...
"Thank you Jen, now we see that you're not the one." :)
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