Snowmageddon

Snow.  Yep, it’ll cancel worship again this Sunday.  The purist in me says worship is never cancelled because we can always read/ hear God’s Word and turn to God in praise and supplication (Thank you, God!; Help me, God!).  That said, worship is also a communal act.  Worshiping with other people is very different from one’s private devotions.  All this snow canceling reminds me of the pandemic.  Thinking about how to do “virtual worship,” pre-record sermons, live-stream from my phone…  Sadly, I’ve forgotten how to do all that.  But it’s not a bad thing to remember how to do! 

            What I was going to preach on last week was Jesus’ call to follow with his simple question, “What are you looking for?” (John 1:38).  I think a lot of us don’t know it until we see it.  The image of the Buddhist monks walking for peace resonated with me; they were nearing Charlotte where I was visiting my dad.  I think we’re “looking for something” like that, and not the images of masked ICE agents shooting people.  Jesus then invites the disciples to “Come and see” (vs. 39).  John the Baptist has told us already what we’re seeing—and should be looking for!—“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (vs. 29, 36). 

            We follow after what it is we’re looking for.  We follow after a vision, something compelling, life giving, affirming, comforting, inspiring and challenging.  All that is true, but all those words can be empty without something or someone (Jesus Christ!) to give it “flesh.”  We are also supposed to have our Annual Meeting this Sunday.  Please take the time to read the reports.  I believe there’s a “vision” there that motivates everything we’ve done, have tried to do, and want to do—a vision that begins with Christ’s grace.

            This Sunday Jesus calls two sets of brothers, and they drop their fishing nets and follow him (Matthew 4:12-23).  They leave one life behind, to take up another one.  I believe most of us live our discipleship “in the middle” of our lives, we haven’t made that sharp of a break, like Andrew and Peter, James and John.  But following Jesus will mean leaving some things behind and taking up other things.  And that’s not a bad thing.  It’s hard but life-giving and rewarding.  We have to trust him.  Christ’s call is filled with images that make up that compelling image of who God is for us.  “Come and see.”   

Peace,

Pr. Christian