Thought for Today
Isaiah 56:1 Thus says the LORD: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Luke 10:27 He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
This morning, I am thinking about the greatest, most all-encompassing question, “Why?” No, not why am I thinking about the greatest, most all-encompassing question? I am thinking about the ‘why’ of our lives. Why do I, why do we do what we do? What is our reason for living the way we do?
The answers provided in scripture about how we should do things are relatively simple and straightforward. Those verses above should be familiar to everyone who reads and follows these Thoughts. I reference those verses often. They have all greatly impacted my own life and still guide my ministry.
For some folks, it is easy to imagine their motivations by watching how they go about life. Irrespective of the sphere within which they operate, their motivations are revealed by what they do and how they do it. That reality should always be uppermost in our minds as we look at the society all around us. Whenever we see or hear politicians in person or in the news, we should be asking ourselves, “Why are they saying that, why are they doing that?” Although it may seem a bit cynical to question every word or action, history has taught us that such questioning is in our own best interest.
I have mentioned previously the community food pantry that is part of our church’s community outreach. It was impressive to Greta and me when we first learned about it; it remains impressive to us both. There are 2 things about it which most impress me, even before I consider all of the wonderful work being done to combat food insecurity. The first thing is that everyone involved is a volunteer. The second thing is that all of the money is donated. Interestingly and impressively, not all the volunteers or all of the donors are members of our church. Some are. Some are members of other faith communities in our area. Some, as far as I know, do not attend any faith community. It seems evident to me, however, that all are responding to those words from James, witnessing their faith, whether they are aware of it or not, through their actions.
This coming Sunday, our congregation, like so many others, will celebrate the eucharist. As I always do, I will preface the Words of Institution with what I consider a very important statement, “This is not our table. It is the table of Jesus Christ. All are welcome here. No matter who you are, no matter the state of your life or your faith. Welcome to the table of our Lord.”
Our own faith tradition practices what is known as an ‘open’ or ‘inclusive’ table. Everyone is welcome to partake. It is our practice and my own personal belief that this practice reflects Jesus’ own words, "Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Why do I do what I do? Sometimes, despite my best efforts, it may seem a mystery. I do not always do what I want to do. Sometimes I stumble; sometimes I fall; sometimes I just forget. I am human. But, I am also a follower of Jesus, the Christ. I have Jesus’ life, Jesus’ ministry, Jesus’ Crucifixion and Jesus’ Resurrection as my guideposts and milestones as I journey through life.
I know those words of the apostle Paul to the church at Ephesus, “2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—” And, thankfully, I always remember that great tee shirt theology I’ve seen so many times, “I’m not perfect, just forgiven!” All of that is my life’s answer to “Why?”
Stay safe, ask questions, trust God,
Pastor Ray