The Right Thing “So, what’s my reward?” he asked expectantly. “Well,” the reply came, “your reward is knowing you did the right thing.” Have you ever had someone say that to you? Have you ever said that to someone else? Perhaps your kids? While the sentiment sounds good, deep down hearing, “doing the right thing…
Tag: Future
Kingdom of Hope
Lately I’ve found myself hopeful. This is unusual. I’m not usually that hopeful. In fact, I’m usually kind of a cynic. After all, what do I have to be hopeful about? I’m involved in a denomination that is struggling to survive. We don’t understand the culture. We can’t seem to figure out what we are doing wrong, yet we continue to offer up grand plans and ideas of structural changes (some drastic) that we believe will make a difference in, what I believe, is an ontological problem.
I find myself serving a church that has a wonderful history, but finds it difficult to reach outside the walls. The people are wonderful and loving, yet they find themselves fully involved in their own survival. The church struggles to make ends meet and has been doing so for at least the past 12 years. People continue to give more money each year, but the increases in insurance, energy costs and salaries leaves us wondering how we will continue from year to year. Leaders are difficult to find and it seems once leaders are found they are relocated for employment purposes. Yet, our church seems to be fairing better than the majority in our denomination.
So, where do I find hope? Where do I find consolation? To be honest it is a place where I wouldn’t have guessed. I shouldn’t be surprised, yet, I am. For I am finding hope in the parables of Jesus.
I find hope when I read that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It is so small…the smallest of all seeds, yet, from that seed a mighty shrub grows. One where the birds can find protection from the storms. One that is stronger and bigger than any other. When I read that, I have hope.
I have hope when I read of the farmer going out and sowing seed. He sleeps, he awakes, he sleeps again and that seed sprouts and grows. He doesn’t even know how it is happening, but it is. Then, at the right time, the harvest comes. When I read that, I have hope.
I have hope when I read about the man who found a treasure in a field and hid the treasure. He went back home and sold everything he had! Everything! He then we back and purchased that field and he was overjoyed. He gave up everything he had so he might embrace the one thing that could bring him joy. That brings me hope.
Jesus says God’s kingdom is like plants that grow, even though we don’t know why, and the smallest seed becoming the largest shrub, and a man giving up everything he has to embrace the One Thing that brings joy. I’m realizing that the kingdom of God isn’t about me. It is about God and what God is doing in this world. I can’t orchestrate it. I can’t control it. I can’t even really understand it or at times even see it happening. It’s okay when small things happen. It’s okay when I don’t understand where I’m being called. It’s okay that I am being asked to give up all that I have, so I might embrace the kingdom God invites me too. It’s okay, because God’s kingdom brings hope.
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What to Do Now….
The question then I wish to pose is— if Christians should give up the quest to ‘get back to Christian America’, what then should we do? I would suggest we should go forward towards a Christianity in America that does a better job of being an advocate for its own position in all spheres…
The State of Methodism
I think the person who posted this is from the UK, but the analogy still fits (in my opinion). Anyway, the post is called "Emerging Church and All That." Emerging Church and All That Sometimes I want off the ship…other times I want to help others find the lifeboats.