As a naturally introspective person I like the idea of leaving the "highway of life" periodically and reflecting on the journey. The image I used in today's sermon was of a gathering of people who talk to one another at a rest stop. Is it unrealistic to think of church gatherings in such a light? When do we take time to reflect on our faith journey? We do better at planing for what we think will be next, or just doing the work at hand. Both of these are of course essential, but what would happen if we regularly took time to just reflect on what is going on and what has been going on in our lives? My suspicion is that we might have better direction for the future and feel more of call for what we need to be doing in the present.
Brueggemann's three categories of life: orientation, disorientation, and new orientation provide a wonderful analysis of not only the Psalms, but of life as well. I find it strangely encouraging that disorientation birthed so many Psalms. But disorientation is not the last word. The new orientation, given as a gift from God, brings so much joy that celebration springs to life. How can we balance our services so that they serve those living in secure orientation, those suffering painful disorientation, as well as those experiencing the blessing of new orientation? That is a challenge we have not yet fully accepted. May God guide us as we seek to grow in this area.
1 comment:
Today's sermon was very refreshing. It's freeing to know that true Christianity is not expected to be sterile and clean. The bible itself shows that it can be rather messy and ugly. It helps us to not feel pressure to have the entire plot wrapped up before the credits begin to roll. Rather it helps us to see how often these difficult times are experienced and puts all of us in the position to be ready to walk through them with our suffering brothers and sisters armed with the knowledge that God will show up. He is coming to the rescue, not just the permanent freedom that comes at physical death, but in all temporal events too. WHAT A MIGHTY AND AMAZING GOD WE SERVE!!!
Steve
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