Encourage One Another

I have to admit it in order to be fair: In gym class I was usually the one doing the picking when it came to choosing teams. I can't actually think of a time when I was the last one picked, but I have compassion for those who are. It hurts my heart when the last one picked feels a blow to their psyche- you can see it on their face, "Last picked again? Left behind again?"  I'd rather be the last one picked if it means that someone is going to be upset because they are- truth is I don't care all that much. I know my gifts and I'm confident in my abilities. I can make lemonade out of lemons most days, so being the last one chosen just means a slight delay getting started.

The thing is, I've been on many, many teams in my life. I've been on basketball teams, volleyball teams, track teams, soccer teams, coached track teams and swim teams and volleyball team, worked on committees and task forces, and the biggest team of all--- the local church! In most cases I didn't get to pick to the players- either they were there already, they volunteered to help, or someone else picked them. I'm fine with all of those options. I'm thrilled that folks want to use their gifts and talents for the team.

But here's the thing: If you want to be on a team, you have to play like a team, and that means encouraging one another rather than tearing each other down or insisting on your own way. 

There's way too much insisting on our own way in the world!

There's way too much insisting on our own way in the church!

In both cases, in the world and in the church, we are in this together. One teammate doesn't have all the answers; one teammate doesn't have all the gifts. (Romans 12:1-8) We are stronger together than we are separate or in factions. We have no time to waste or be complacent, as we are reminded in this Advent season. Christ is returning and we know not the day nor the hour. We are called to work as a team so that all might know the love and peace of Christ. Unfortunately, our sinfulness can get in the way of that goal. We repent of that and vow to do better.

Take a look at St. Paul's advice to the Thessalonians, from the Message (1Th 5:1-13)

5 1-3 I don’t think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master’s coming can’t be posted on our calendars. He won’t call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody’s walking around complacently, congratulating each other—“We’ve sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!”—suddenly everything will fall apart. It’s going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

4-8 But friends, you’re not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You’re sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let’s not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let’s keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we’re creatures of Day, let’s act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

9-11 God didn’t set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

The good news for us is that Christ is on our team. He's the captain of the team. He's the playmaker! And He chose us to play! We may not have chosen all the other teammates on the team had it been up to us, but it wasn't! Christ did the choosing, and that's good enough for me. (John 15:16) Let's take Paul's advice and build one another up! Let's focus on our own part of the game and cheer on our teammates in the process. Every person is a beloved child of God and deserves our deepest honor and respect. When we play the "game" like this we show the world the very nature of our Loving God. 

Have a blessed Advent and Christmas!

P. Amy+

Gifts from out of nowhere. . .

See these three crosses? (image removed)
Beautiful aren't they?

They appeared out of nowhere.  As is often the case with my congregation, gifts appear out of seemingly nowhere and for no particular reason!  It's always a joy to me because of course I love gifts, even gifts that are generously shared between two other people. I love to see generosity in action because it is a sign of love.   These gifts, when they are presented to me, remind me that someone is thinking about me and that they care about me, maybe even love me.  It has happened so many times that my shelves (and there are quite a few in my office) are filled with trinkets and plagues and little statues and signs and crosses and pictures and sayings and bowls and books and all sorts of other things that have been gifts to me in the past ten years.  All signs of God's love through the people I am privileged to serve.


Monday we received a magnificent gift from one of our families: a new carillon bell that was installed in the bell tower!  Now the whole town is gifted with the sound of hymns that will lilt toward their ears and hopefully lift their spirits and give them joy.  Another reminder to the village the Christ is truly present- wherever sound can travel, it will be a reminder of God's love for us in Jesus Christ!  This gift was a long time dream of one woman in our parish and the timing just never seemed right. . . but out of the blue (or so it seemed) it all happened in a matter of days.  Coincidentally (I don't think so) ready for Easter the baptism of her great granddaughter!  Kairos moment there! Gift given in water and word and also in sound!

Gifts from God do seem to come out of nowhere lots of times, don't they?  A moment of grace.  A smile on a dark day.  A word of hope just when you needed it most.  A phone call just to say, "I only wanted to hear your voice." These are small, but very effective reminders of God's love for us and of the love we share with one another in Christ.  We are also gift bearers in the name of Christ!  Our very presence can be a gift to someone and we may not have any idea that the Lord of our lives is using us to bring peace, contentment, even joy to the moment at hand.

As you continue your Holy Week journey toward the Last Supper, the Mandatum (foot-washing), Arrest, and Crucifixion. . . be aware of the gifts being given to you in each moment.  It was be a gift of mercy in your pain, a gift of hope in your darkness, a gift of laughter in your crabbiness, a gift of food in your hunger, a gift of water in your thirst, a gift of love in your loneliness.  And be aware of how Christ is using you to meet the needs of another as well.  In the giving is the greatest gift of all!

Have a blessed Holy Wednesday. . . hang in there. . . you know the WHOLE story so cling to it even as you dwell in each moment along the way!

Serving Within Your Passion

Yesterday began another season of Track and Field.  For me that means getting the great opportunity to work within my passion.  Not that working in the realm of "church" isn't working within my passion, but working with young athletes in the sport that is my first love is always an amazing experience for me.  The sights, the sounds, the atmosphere of the track makes my brain create a rush of endorphins which in turn gives this small town pastor/coach a sense of well being and purpose.

So today, after demonstrating a bunch of jumping drills, my legs and gluts are sore.. . but it is the best feeling in the world- that soreness that comes from working the body.  It is the best feeling in the world to be teaching and coaching the sport that I competed in myself for over 10 years.

In the church, why do we fill ministry positions with people who have no interest or calling to serve in those capacities?  We are simply asking for burn out, frustration and anxiety.  When we think about how the Holy Spirit calls us into ministry through the waters of baptism, that means the Spirit calls us to work within our passions and giftedness.  (Okay God did call Moses to speak and he wasn't such a good orator but God gave him the words eventually!)  What I mean is that as the church we might want to help folks discover their giftedness and point them in the direction of serving in those areas.  Along the way they will find other places that they are gifted, their confidence will grow, they will be more willing to take a risk at something new but it is a process that I think needs to start in their area of comfort.  If we thrust them into an uncomfortable position then we risk eliciting emotions of fear, insecurity, even anger.  (They might even get so frustrated that they disappear for awhile!)

There is something for everyone to "do" in this ministry of the kingdom.  How can we help disciples embrace their "discipleship" in meaningful ways?  When the baptized are working within their passions they are sensing a greater fulfillment, a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.  And I for one believe that with that spark will come greater opportunities to serve that they never imagined they would be engaged in!  But the path of discipleship is trod one step at a time and that first step is often the most difficult one to take.

So what is your passion?  
Cooking?  Then help in the kitchen with the next meal or figure out a creative way to use your cooking skills to serve the kingdom.
Handy-man kinda stuff?  There are many possibilities here for service- inside and outside of the church building.  (Our goal is to get outside you know.)
A sport?  Do something similar to what I do. . . coach your kid's team and do it in the name of Christ Jesus.
An art or craft?  Create something that helps others connect to the heart of God.

Get the idea?  But first, your passion has to be uncovered!  Once you identify it, then it's time to share and we do this in the name of and for the sake of our Lord and Savior!

Image credit: joecrazy.com