By Derek Lang
“This is the work of Jesus,” says the commentary from our United Methodist website about Jesus proclaiming the message in this week’s scripture. It has such a matter-of-fact tone about it. “Of course, it is.” or “What else would Jesus be doing?” belies the attitude of the writer. In other words, that is just who Jesus is. That may seem obvious when we think about Jesus. But is it so obvious for ourselves? Who are we? Sometimes we do not realize who we are ourselves and what we should be doing.
Last Sunday, it was truly a blessing to hear the faith sharings during our worship service. I appreciated how Jonathan captured the thought that we are all on a wonderful journey of self/spiritual formation; that Jesus continues to harken us even when we might be reluctant as Brenda said; and how God is revealed in unlikely places as when Ed traveled on an airplane and was inspired by strangers God puts in his path. I think we were all moved by each story, and I thought about how so many in our congregation have shared their own faith stories this past year. Could we have imagined us doing this two years ago or five years ago? Arlene, Leily, Laura, Nichole, Wendy, Steve, Charlie, Ed, Jonathan, Brenda, John, Jason, Aeri, Ben, Donna, Al, and Becky (and many more).
I thought to myself, “This is who we are and what we should be doing.” It was not a negative feeling of why have we not been doing this already. Rather it was a joyful feeling that this is what is feels like when we are maturing in Christ. This is what it feels like when we have reached our goal. I could tell a few have been nervous about sharing in front of the rest of the congregation – that is natural. But think what kind of a congregation we are when faith sharing is just a part of who we are. What kind of doors open up when someone visits us and is inspired by seeing God working in our lives? What kind of opportunities are created when we talk excitedly about God outside church and a passer-by asks what all the excitement is about? What happens when we feel at ease inviting others to experience God's love like we experience God's love? That will be pretty amazing. And it is happening here at CCUMC.
“This is the work of Jesus,” says the commentary from our United Methodist website about Jesus proclaiming the message in this week’s scripture. It has such a matter-of-fact tone about it. “Of course, it is.” or “What else would Jesus be doing?” belies the attitude of the writer. In other words, that is just who Jesus is. That may seem obvious when we think about Jesus. But is it so obvious for ourselves? Who are we? Sometimes we do not realize who we are ourselves and what we should be doing.
Last Sunday, it was truly a blessing to hear the faith sharings during our worship service. I appreciated how Jonathan captured the thought that we are all on a wonderful journey of self/spiritual formation; that Jesus continues to harken us even when we might be reluctant as Brenda said; and how God is revealed in unlikely places as when Ed traveled on an airplane and was inspired by strangers God puts in his path. I think we were all moved by each story, and I thought about how so many in our congregation have shared their own faith stories this past year. Could we have imagined us doing this two years ago or five years ago? Arlene, Leily, Laura, Nichole, Wendy, Steve, Charlie, Ed, Jonathan, Brenda, John, Jason, Aeri, Ben, Donna, Al, and Becky (and many more).
I thought to myself, “This is who we are and what we should be doing.” It was not a negative feeling of why have we not been doing this already. Rather it was a joyful feeling that this is what is feels like when we are maturing in Christ. This is what it feels like when we have reached our goal. I could tell a few have been nervous about sharing in front of the rest of the congregation – that is natural. But think what kind of a congregation we are when faith sharing is just a part of who we are. What kind of doors open up when someone visits us and is inspired by seeing God working in our lives? What kind of opportunities are created when we talk excitedly about God outside church and a passer-by asks what all the excitement is about? What happens when we feel at ease inviting others to experience God's love like we experience God's love? That will be pretty amazing. And it is happening here at CCUMC.