Exodus 32—The Golden Calf
"When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, 'Come, make us gods who will go before us.'"
“Are we there yet?!” the little boy beckoned to his mother from the back seat. “No, son, a little bit further yet”, she replied.
Patience! It is a mark and sign of faithfulness. St. Paul lists patience among the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians. And he exhorts his listeners in Colossians to clothe themselves with the characteristics of faith; naming patience among the defining traits of a Christian.
The Bible is filled with stories of God’s people losing their patience with God, and thereby losing their faith in God. The story of the Golden Calf is a good example. The Israelites lost patience and decided to do things their own way. They built an idol in the form of a golden calf. Then they worshipped this idol instead of the God who rescued them from Egypt. Losing their patience with God was a sign that they had lost faith in God.
In the journey of life, we often beckon from the back seat up to our Heavenly Father, “Are we there yet?!” And the response is always the same, “No, my child, a little bit further yet.”
I must confess. I am sooooo often the child in the backseat. I am always eager to see things come to be. I am always in a hurry to accomplish things and move on. Patience is God’s constant reminder to me.
This time of transition at our church leaves us, together, beckoning, “Are we there yet!?” Just as the trek from Egypt to the Promised Land tested the Israelite’s patience and faithfulness, our trek through these transitions is a test of ours.
In the difficult times, times when the Israelites lost patience with God and with each other, God would remind his chosen people of the larger relevance of the journey they were on. This would help to normalize the periods of discontent and in doing so discourage the discontented and impatient Israelites from returning to Egypt. Likewise, for us, it seems wise at this time to remind us of the transitions that we are facing together.
We are traversing through the wilderness of three very difficult transitions. First, you have changed pastors. Second, we are changing the ministry model from pastor-centered to program. Third, we are already talking about changes to the building and grounds. Any one of these three transitions would be a challenge to even the healthiest of congregations. But, God has invited us to be faithful through all three at the same time. This will require patience with God as well as patience with others. But, it may help to recognize that a swirl of discontent and impatience is very normal through such a difficult series of transitions as these.
Finally, it may also help to remember that in the Exodus story God did finally deliver the people to where He had promised. Likewise, God will do with us. As we are beckoning our cries of discontent and impatience from the back seat, remember it is God who is in the front seat. God is the driving. We are His children along for the ride.
Blessings,
+Rich
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Liberation from the Lilliputians
Luke 13:10-17
This morning I would like to begin with a fable. This is a very famous fable from Jonathon Swift. I would like to take this fable and slightly alter it to meet the needs of our day.
Gulliver and the Lilliputians:
Gulliver needed to be set free from the thousands upon thousands of little ties and knots, strings and threads, that were holding him down, killing him and his freedom.
The meaning: It is the nature of human institutions, whether they be government, schools, churches, social conventions to put thousands of little regulations on people in order to hold them down, tie them down and control them.
Examples:
Apply for welfare or food stamps, or whatever you apply for to the
Federal government, and you will quickly find that there are Lilliputians involved in the system. The strings they use are miles of red tape, a myriad of rules and regulations.
Now, I know what some of you are probably thinking. You’re thinking, “Pastor, those rules and regulations are important. Without them, people would take advantage.
And you are correct. The point of this message is not to criticize government rules and regulations. Rules and regulations are indeed a necessity of any institution. God is keenly aware of this, hence the 10 commandments.
However, the point of this message is to make clear that sin has a way of convincing us that the rules and regulations within the institution are more important than the original purpose of institution itself. With tongue firmly in cheek, the point of this message is to give us someone to blame for this institutional sin. The Lilliputians did it! :-)
It is the nature of sin within our institutions, whether they are governments, schools, or even churches to start with rules and regulations that serve to support and make viable the very good purposes behind the institution, but then cause the institution to drift asleep to the original purpose allowing the Lilliputians to take over. When we wake up, we find that a very subtle shift has been made, where the original purpose of the institution was to serve people, but instead, the people are now forced to serve the institution. It happens again and again. When this happens serving the legal needs of the institution become more important than the real needs of the people. Sin turns the institution into a god and then holds the people hostage to the system.
This is what Lilliputians do.
Gospel:
It is precisely the attitude of Gulliver awaking to find that he has been strapped down by the Lilliputians with thousands of little strings (regulations) that the Gospel lesson speaks to us about today. In the Judaism of that time in history, their religion had become an institution of a thousand rules and regulations. The original purpose was to help people praise God and compassionately serve one another. But instead, the Lilliputians snuck in somewhere along the course of history and took over. They convinced the Jewish people that all the traditions, the rules and regulations, were more important than a genuine faith in God or compassionate service to the neighbor. The Lilliputians made the people become preoccupied with rules and traditions and they began to serve the institution as if it were god. Like Gulliver, the people were held down like prisoners; powerless and dying beneath the constraints of an institution that God had intended for the purpose of freeing people for worship and compassion.
Believe it or not, on of those Jewish regulations in Jesus’ day was that a person could not be healed on the Sabbath day of rest. Can you imagine such thoughts today? All hospitals will care for patients six days a week but not care for them on Sunday? Fortunately, such thoughts would not fly in our society. Fortunately, our society has come to realize that Sabbath Rest has little to do with a list of prohibitive blue laws.
The Church:
Now, I know that many of you, like myself, miss the days when Sunday was set aside for church. We long for the day when the church might return to its place within our society of dominion over the activities of Sunday. But, in truth, we must confess that this period of blue laws was not genuinely about praising God and serving our neighbor. It was actually about placing societal rules and regulations in place that would maintain a certain level of power and control over people. These regulations benefitted our institution, but they did not encourage faith in God. They did not allow for the freedom to Worship, and serve our neighbor.
Far too often, the primary purpose of the church becomes misguided by Lilliputians. Sometimes, it begins to feel like the purpose of the church is to preserve our religious customs, rules, regulations and rituals, more so than doing the compassion of God. The rules, regulations and rituals take on a life of their own, and preserving them becomes more important than doing and being the compassion of God.
Jesus offers liberation
By healing a woman on the Sabbath, Jesus reveals to us a new vision for what Sabbath truly means. Sabbath Rest is not found through a list of prohibitions placed upon us one day of the week. Sabbath Rest is to be set free from the labors of sin. When Jesus broke from tradition in order to heal the woman on the Sabbath, he offered liberation for all of us. Jesus liberated us from the Lilliputians– freedom from those religious customs that we think are somehow God-given but are not.
I would like to give you a couple of examples. These are based on true stories, but are easily applicable to just about any church institution from around 1975.
Examples #1
I grew up on Appalachian WV Lutheran legalism. I have come to learn that this is very much like the Midwest. Garrison Keillor describes this most succinctly on the side of a coffee mug I have at home: "I’m a Lutheran. We are modest people and we don’t make a fuss. And it sure would be a better world if they were all as modest as us. We do not go for whooping it up, or a lot of yikkety-yak. When we say hello, we avert our eyes and we always sit in the back. We sit in the pew where we always sit, and we do not shout Amen. And if anyone yells or waves their hands, they’re not invited back again."
One day, Susan, the musician and choir director at my church caused quite a stir. She even provoked the pastor to pay a special visit to straighten things out. Everyone came home from church that day talking about it. For the anthem on this one dreadful morning, Susan, had given a choir member permission to play a tambourine.
Example #2
In my church it was deemed that certain people were more religious than others by the depth of their knowledge of the bible and their ability to recite passages from memory. This obviously meant that some people were more Christian than other people. The more Christian people were those who especially loved their church traditions. They were given positions of authority and influence. They came to worship more often, and were the first to tell you if you were behaving somewhat less Christian than them. Those who didn’t come to church, or those who came visiting had to prove themselves to the authorities that they were worthy before those with influence would truly accept them and invite them into the active ministry.
I remember the year that Sally was elected to church council. She was a relatively new member. She had moved to the area about five years prior and had quickly gotten involved in the church. But, what’s five years of membership compared to those who spent their lifetime in that congregation. Sally wanted to run for church council. But, there were three strikes immediately against her. First, she was a woman. The people of my church said, “Women were not to be leading the church. This was simply unheard of. Women were meant to be taking care of the children. There must be something wrong with a woman who wants to do such a thing.” Second, she was “too new” some said. She had been a member only five years. Third, others didn’t like her because she was divorced. They said, “Divorced people shouldn't be allowed to serve on the church council because they won’t be good role models for our children.” Sally was not elected and left the church soon after that. We never heard from her again. But, I don’t think many people went looking for her either.
Example #3
I also remember the time when a black man and white woman came visiting my church together. They were married and it seemed like everybody in the congregation had a problem with that. There was something unnatural about it they said. It violated God’s laws of nature they said. Needless to say, this couple didn’t stay too long at my church either.
All of these rules and a myriad of others are traditional interpretations of the Bible and ever so subtly, those religious interpretations and traditions became more important than living out the compassion of Christ. This subtle shift in the rules, from people serving the institution rather than the institution serving people, is the work of those sinful Lilliputians.
Jesus is our liberator from the Lilliputians.
Jesus liberates Christianity from our biblical interpretations, traditions and from what we think Christianity ought to be. Liberated from this institutional sinfulness we are set free. Free to truly worship God. Prohibitive Blue laws are not the way to Sabbath freedom. Think about it. You all had a variety of options that you could have done on this beautiful Sunday morning. You were free this morning to Worship God, and you listened to call of the one you pray to, the one you call Lord, and you came to church. That’s Sabbath freedom! We are free for genuine compassion to our neighbor. There are no laws demanding that you volunteer in ministries—no prohibitive guilt forcing you to do this or that or you’re going to Hell. NO! Jesus has saved you by his death and resurrection. Those who believe this ""Good News" are liberated from guilt and despair—the labors of sin. This means you have the freedom to serve your neighbor. Therefore, you have heard the call of the one who has freed you and you have come here, made yourselves a part of this church, committed yourselves to the work of this church. This is the freedom given to you by Christ. We are liberated from all the societal rules and regulations that hold us back from worshiping freely and serving our neighbor freely.
Jesus liberated us all when he broke the rules to heal that woman on the Sabbath. Now, as Paul says, there is nothing that separates you from the love of God. NOTHING! Therefore, come one come all. Let every mixed up, sinful wretch of a person come. Let everyone who the Lilliputians have put down, held down, or imprisoned come to meet this Jesus and be set free. Let all of us "holier than thou Christians" come seeking forgiveness and be set free as well. Let this place be for all a place of welcome — and let that welcome be the healing touch of Jesus — just as his touch healed a woman on one Sabbath long ago.
Amen
This morning I would like to begin with a fable. This is a very famous fable from Jonathon Swift. I would like to take this fable and slightly alter it to meet the needs of our day.
Gulliver and the Lilliputians:
Gulliver needed to be set free from the thousands upon thousands of little ties and knots, strings and threads, that were holding him down, killing him and his freedom.
The meaning: It is the nature of human institutions, whether they be government, schools, churches, social conventions to put thousands of little regulations on people in order to hold them down, tie them down and control them.
Examples:
Apply for welfare or food stamps, or whatever you apply for to the
Federal government, and you will quickly find that there are Lilliputians involved in the system. The strings they use are miles of red tape, a myriad of rules and regulations.
Now, I know what some of you are probably thinking. You’re thinking, “Pastor, those rules and regulations are important. Without them, people would take advantage.
And you are correct. The point of this message is not to criticize government rules and regulations. Rules and regulations are indeed a necessity of any institution. God is keenly aware of this, hence the 10 commandments.
However, the point of this message is to make clear that sin has a way of convincing us that the rules and regulations within the institution are more important than the original purpose of institution itself. With tongue firmly in cheek, the point of this message is to give us someone to blame for this institutional sin. The Lilliputians did it! :-)
It is the nature of sin within our institutions, whether they are governments, schools, or even churches to start with rules and regulations that serve to support and make viable the very good purposes behind the institution, but then cause the institution to drift asleep to the original purpose allowing the Lilliputians to take over. When we wake up, we find that a very subtle shift has been made, where the original purpose of the institution was to serve people, but instead, the people are now forced to serve the institution. It happens again and again. When this happens serving the legal needs of the institution become more important than the real needs of the people. Sin turns the institution into a god and then holds the people hostage to the system.
This is what Lilliputians do.
Gospel:
It is precisely the attitude of Gulliver awaking to find that he has been strapped down by the Lilliputians with thousands of little strings (regulations) that the Gospel lesson speaks to us about today. In the Judaism of that time in history, their religion had become an institution of a thousand rules and regulations. The original purpose was to help people praise God and compassionately serve one another. But instead, the Lilliputians snuck in somewhere along the course of history and took over. They convinced the Jewish people that all the traditions, the rules and regulations, were more important than a genuine faith in God or compassionate service to the neighbor. The Lilliputians made the people become preoccupied with rules and traditions and they began to serve the institution as if it were god. Like Gulliver, the people were held down like prisoners; powerless and dying beneath the constraints of an institution that God had intended for the purpose of freeing people for worship and compassion.
Believe it or not, on of those Jewish regulations in Jesus’ day was that a person could not be healed on the Sabbath day of rest. Can you imagine such thoughts today? All hospitals will care for patients six days a week but not care for them on Sunday? Fortunately, such thoughts would not fly in our society. Fortunately, our society has come to realize that Sabbath Rest has little to do with a list of prohibitive blue laws.
The Church:
Now, I know that many of you, like myself, miss the days when Sunday was set aside for church. We long for the day when the church might return to its place within our society of dominion over the activities of Sunday. But, in truth, we must confess that this period of blue laws was not genuinely about praising God and serving our neighbor. It was actually about placing societal rules and regulations in place that would maintain a certain level of power and control over people. These regulations benefitted our institution, but they did not encourage faith in God. They did not allow for the freedom to Worship, and serve our neighbor.
Far too often, the primary purpose of the church becomes misguided by Lilliputians. Sometimes, it begins to feel like the purpose of the church is to preserve our religious customs, rules, regulations and rituals, more so than doing the compassion of God. The rules, regulations and rituals take on a life of their own, and preserving them becomes more important than doing and being the compassion of God.
Jesus offers liberation
By healing a woman on the Sabbath, Jesus reveals to us a new vision for what Sabbath truly means. Sabbath Rest is not found through a list of prohibitions placed upon us one day of the week. Sabbath Rest is to be set free from the labors of sin. When Jesus broke from tradition in order to heal the woman on the Sabbath, he offered liberation for all of us. Jesus liberated us from the Lilliputians– freedom from those religious customs that we think are somehow God-given but are not.
I would like to give you a couple of examples. These are based on true stories, but are easily applicable to just about any church institution from around 1975.
Examples #1
I grew up on Appalachian WV Lutheran legalism. I have come to learn that this is very much like the Midwest. Garrison Keillor describes this most succinctly on the side of a coffee mug I have at home: "I’m a Lutheran. We are modest people and we don’t make a fuss. And it sure would be a better world if they were all as modest as us. We do not go for whooping it up, or a lot of yikkety-yak. When we say hello, we avert our eyes and we always sit in the back. We sit in the pew where we always sit, and we do not shout Amen. And if anyone yells or waves their hands, they’re not invited back again."
One day, Susan, the musician and choir director at my church caused quite a stir. She even provoked the pastor to pay a special visit to straighten things out. Everyone came home from church that day talking about it. For the anthem on this one dreadful morning, Susan, had given a choir member permission to play a tambourine.
Example #2
In my church it was deemed that certain people were more religious than others by the depth of their knowledge of the bible and their ability to recite passages from memory. This obviously meant that some people were more Christian than other people. The more Christian people were those who especially loved their church traditions. They were given positions of authority and influence. They came to worship more often, and were the first to tell you if you were behaving somewhat less Christian than them. Those who didn’t come to church, or those who came visiting had to prove themselves to the authorities that they were worthy before those with influence would truly accept them and invite them into the active ministry.
I remember the year that Sally was elected to church council. She was a relatively new member. She had moved to the area about five years prior and had quickly gotten involved in the church. But, what’s five years of membership compared to those who spent their lifetime in that congregation. Sally wanted to run for church council. But, there were three strikes immediately against her. First, she was a woman. The people of my church said, “Women were not to be leading the church. This was simply unheard of. Women were meant to be taking care of the children. There must be something wrong with a woman who wants to do such a thing.” Second, she was “too new” some said. She had been a member only five years. Third, others didn’t like her because she was divorced. They said, “Divorced people shouldn't be allowed to serve on the church council because they won’t be good role models for our children.” Sally was not elected and left the church soon after that. We never heard from her again. But, I don’t think many people went looking for her either.
Example #3
I also remember the time when a black man and white woman came visiting my church together. They were married and it seemed like everybody in the congregation had a problem with that. There was something unnatural about it they said. It violated God’s laws of nature they said. Needless to say, this couple didn’t stay too long at my church either.
All of these rules and a myriad of others are traditional interpretations of the Bible and ever so subtly, those religious interpretations and traditions became more important than living out the compassion of Christ. This subtle shift in the rules, from people serving the institution rather than the institution serving people, is the work of those sinful Lilliputians.
Jesus is our liberator from the Lilliputians.
Jesus liberates Christianity from our biblical interpretations, traditions and from what we think Christianity ought to be. Liberated from this institutional sinfulness we are set free. Free to truly worship God. Prohibitive Blue laws are not the way to Sabbath freedom. Think about it. You all had a variety of options that you could have done on this beautiful Sunday morning. You were free this morning to Worship God, and you listened to call of the one you pray to, the one you call Lord, and you came to church. That’s Sabbath freedom! We are free for genuine compassion to our neighbor. There are no laws demanding that you volunteer in ministries—no prohibitive guilt forcing you to do this or that or you’re going to Hell. NO! Jesus has saved you by his death and resurrection. Those who believe this ""Good News" are liberated from guilt and despair—the labors of sin. This means you have the freedom to serve your neighbor. Therefore, you have heard the call of the one who has freed you and you have come here, made yourselves a part of this church, committed yourselves to the work of this church. This is the freedom given to you by Christ. We are liberated from all the societal rules and regulations that hold us back from worshiping freely and serving our neighbor freely.
Jesus liberated us all when he broke the rules to heal that woman on the Sabbath. Now, as Paul says, there is nothing that separates you from the love of God. NOTHING! Therefore, come one come all. Let every mixed up, sinful wretch of a person come. Let everyone who the Lilliputians have put down, held down, or imprisoned come to meet this Jesus and be set free. Let all of us "holier than thou Christians" come seeking forgiveness and be set free as well. Let this place be for all a place of welcome — and let that welcome be the healing touch of Jesus — just as his touch healed a woman on one Sabbath long ago.
Amen
The Faithless Impala
Hebrews 11:29--12:2
In unsure times, God gives us the assurance of faith.
Jesus is on a holy tear in today’s gospel reading. He is setting the earth on fire, bringing division. This is not the pastoral, good shepherd Jesus. This is a glimpse of a more firm Jesus. This is Jesus on a mission. And he will not be deterred by any of the false securities of this world. He is pursuing the assurance of eternal security for all, and nothing, not even the relationships of family are going to stop him. In the end, this is the Jesus the world desperately needs. This is the Jesus that sacrifices all, goes to the cross, with faith that God will say Yes to him and redeem all of us.
Jesus’ fire is against all those things that we put our trust and faith in ahead of him.
Likewise, the author of Hebrews exhorts his listeners to have faith, persevere and continue to move forward. Do not let the false securities of this world hold you back from accomplishing what God has put before you. Listing all the biblical stories of people who moved forward in faith, Hebrews calls us then to move forward in the presence of this great cloud of witnesses—pursuing not our own goals but God’s.
There’s a bit of animal trivia I want to share with you. How many of you know what an Impala is? It’s a deer-like creature that roams the grassy Serengeti of Africa. It is said that this creature is capable of leaping 10-feet in the air, and bounding 30-feet in distance. It’s amazing what this creature can do. And it needs to do this in order to have any chance of escape from predators like Lions and Tigers.
Well, upon studying this creature it was observed that when being chased by a predator it would be running and bounding through the grass, but when it came to a thick bush or tree, that it could easily have leaped over, it would instead halt its running and try to find a way around it—often to its own demise. Why would this creature, capable of easily bounding over the obstacle before it, choose to go around it and run the risk of being caught by its predator?
With this curious information, a theory surface, and was tested. They built a pen for the Impala that was nothing more than a 3-foot wall. Just high enough that the Impala could not see over it as it approached it. And sure enough, no matter how provoked, the Impala would not leap over this 3-foot wall to freedom. This study revealed something interesting. The Impala, with its great leaping capability, will only leap if it can first see where its feet are going to land.
If the Impala had just a little bit of faith that when it leaped beyond where it could see, it would avoid the predators that devour it so much more often.
How often do we behave like the Impala? How often are we caught; wanting to be sure of the outcome of our actions before we act?
The writer of Hebrews gives us a list of stories that involve tremendous obstacles that were overcome by faith in God. We are not like the Impala, even though we often behave as if we are. No! We have been given the gift of faith. This gift, when used, seperates us from all other creatures and enables us to respond to difficulty, threats, and fear in ways that reveal God's image in place of our own.
With Jesus in the lead of our lives, we are empowered by his faith to remain faithful ourselves. Rather becoming like trapped animals, we are set free. Free to worship God! Free to serve our neighbor joyfully.
In the end, even the giant obstacle of death itself is overcome. Just as Jesus leaped over it on the cross and landed on his feet on the other side. So, we too, are asked to follow. When we face our final obstacle, with faith in Jesus, we will leap right over that wall and land on our feet with Jesus in heaven.
Amen
In unsure times, God gives us the assurance of faith.
Jesus is on a holy tear in today’s gospel reading. He is setting the earth on fire, bringing division. This is not the pastoral, good shepherd Jesus. This is a glimpse of a more firm Jesus. This is Jesus on a mission. And he will not be deterred by any of the false securities of this world. He is pursuing the assurance of eternal security for all, and nothing, not even the relationships of family are going to stop him. In the end, this is the Jesus the world desperately needs. This is the Jesus that sacrifices all, goes to the cross, with faith that God will say Yes to him and redeem all of us.
Jesus’ fire is against all those things that we put our trust and faith in ahead of him.
Likewise, the author of Hebrews exhorts his listeners to have faith, persevere and continue to move forward. Do not let the false securities of this world hold you back from accomplishing what God has put before you. Listing all the biblical stories of people who moved forward in faith, Hebrews calls us then to move forward in the presence of this great cloud of witnesses—pursuing not our own goals but God’s.
There’s a bit of animal trivia I want to share with you. How many of you know what an Impala is? It’s a deer-like creature that roams the grassy Serengeti of Africa. It is said that this creature is capable of leaping 10-feet in the air, and bounding 30-feet in distance. It’s amazing what this creature can do. And it needs to do this in order to have any chance of escape from predators like Lions and Tigers.
Well, upon studying this creature it was observed that when being chased by a predator it would be running and bounding through the grass, but when it came to a thick bush or tree, that it could easily have leaped over, it would instead halt its running and try to find a way around it—often to its own demise. Why would this creature, capable of easily bounding over the obstacle before it, choose to go around it and run the risk of being caught by its predator?
With this curious information, a theory surface, and was tested. They built a pen for the Impala that was nothing more than a 3-foot wall. Just high enough that the Impala could not see over it as it approached it. And sure enough, no matter how provoked, the Impala would not leap over this 3-foot wall to freedom. This study revealed something interesting. The Impala, with its great leaping capability, will only leap if it can first see where its feet are going to land.
If the Impala had just a little bit of faith that when it leaped beyond where it could see, it would avoid the predators that devour it so much more often.
How often do we behave like the Impala? How often are we caught; wanting to be sure of the outcome of our actions before we act?
The writer of Hebrews gives us a list of stories that involve tremendous obstacles that were overcome by faith in God. We are not like the Impala, even though we often behave as if we are. No! We have been given the gift of faith. This gift, when used, seperates us from all other creatures and enables us to respond to difficulty, threats, and fear in ways that reveal God's image in place of our own.
With Jesus in the lead of our lives, we are empowered by his faith to remain faithful ourselves. Rather becoming like trapped animals, we are set free. Free to worship God! Free to serve our neighbor joyfully.
In the end, even the giant obstacle of death itself is overcome. Just as Jesus leaped over it on the cross and landed on his feet on the other side. So, we too, are asked to follow. When we face our final obstacle, with faith in Jesus, we will leap right over that wall and land on our feet with Jesus in heaven.
Amen
Making Peace with Boredom
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
A certain amount of boredom is simply a fact of life, but involving ourselves in helping others is one way to make peace with it.
So there’s this guy — we’ll call him Barry. Barry has an important position as a manager at a major corporation, and lately, he’s been going full steam on a major project. He’s even devoted weekends and evenings to it, but finally it’s finished and it’s a great success. Barry receives all kinds of praise and his boss insists that Barry take some time off. Make up for all that time you spent away from your wife, his boss says, so Barry books a vacation for two. The first few days they take in some terrific shows, eat some great meals, even drive out to see the extended family. Barry’s wife enjoys every moment, and so does Barry, at first. By the fourth day, while his wife is doing a little shopping, Barry sits by the pool at the hotel and wonders what else there is to do. With nothing immediately on the agenda, Barry cracks open his laptop computer and logs on to the Internet. He browses a few news and business sites but finds nothing to capture his interest. He logs off, and begins to look forward to returning back to work the following Monday. Barry is bored. The guy’s more bored than a lumber mill. Somewhere else there’s this woman we’ll call Annie. She has always loved to cook, and had long dreamed of opening a catering business, and finally her dream came true. She’s been in business now for five years, and all things considered, it’s gone very well. She’s making money, catering interesting events and loving being her own boss. But for the last several months, the excitement she felt at the start has evaporated, and she moves mechanically through her days, doing her work, but without any joy. Her American Dream has come true. She works everyday at it and all of a sudden she wakes up one morning, looks into the mirror and she’s bored with it. There is no more personal thrill of achievement. She has already reached her goals. Then, at that moment, the despair, and the worry begin.
Barry and Annie are both suffering from boredom, but in different forms. Barry has “everyday boredom.” It’s the grown-up version of what a kid is feeling when he comes up to his parents and moans, “I’m bored! There’s nothing to doooo.” Parents sometimes respond by saying, “Well, why don’t you play with ...” and then reel off a list of all the toys and games the kid has in his room. Of course, that seldom works, because at that moment, he’s looking for new stimulation. We adults too, have our toys and games. We can go to the movies, the theater, the mall, the gym, the stadium or the entertainment complex set up in our own family room. But like Barry, some days, none of that is enough. Annie’s boredom, however, is not from lack of momentary stimulation. Hers is “existential boredom,” where meaning and purpose seem to have been drained out of her life. She does her work each day, and does it well, but inside, it all feels futile. The fact is, whether we are talking about everyday boredom or the existential variety, it’s a fact of life. Boredom is part of life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes has come to realize this as well. “Vanity of vanities!” he says. “All is vanity.” Those are the sentiments of a man suffering the boredom of existence. “I ... applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.” Those are the words of a troubled man. He’s disturbed by the inability to find meaning in his daily life. He feels that nothing he has done or achieved makes any real difference, and he fears that he’ll go to his grave without discovering specific meaning and purpose to his existence. If life were simple and tidy, the author of Ecclesiastes would have gone on in his book to tell us how he discovered the key to overcoming boredom, and this sermon on his book would be titled something like “Three Easy Steps to an Exciting Life.” At the very least, he would tell us that by trusting God, all boredom would dissolve. But life isn’t simple and tidy, and if you read Ecclesiastes all the way through, you discover that the author doesn’t “conquer” boredom. Rather, he accommodates it as a part of his existence. Before he gets there, though, he tries several remedies, including self-indulgence, lavish spending and sensual pleasures. While he does find some immediate gratification, he also concludes that such is all the reward there is. But in the end, he makes peace his boredeom. And he comes to a few conclusions: Go your way, appreciate your family and passing pleasures, value wisdom and learning, and then this: “Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”. In other words, start with God, because God provides a baseline of meaning and purpose in life. Here’s a story that illustrates this point. A woman drove an armored vehicle that picked up and delivered money. Driving and stopping at stores and banks and waiting for the pickup or drop-off is what she did 10 hours a day, always covering the same route day after day. Talk about boredom! She struggled with her desire to quit and find another job but held on because of the medical insurance benefit and her fear of not finding a job that paid what she was currently making. She grew more and more bored, and before long, bitterness at her life circumstances began to set in. A life-changing turning point for her was the day she decided to give God her day and ask that it be used to accomplish God’s purposes. Instead of mindless existence, she began to use her time while she was waiting to pray — at first for her family and friends, then for concerns raised at church, and eventually she began to pray for the people she met and/or saw from the armored truck. Giving her boredom to God allowed God to transform it into meaning and purpose.”
There’s one more thing we can glean from boredom, but it’s something the author of Ecclesiastes never seemed to grasp. For all his experiments, he never tried helping others. It’s counterintuitive, but time and again, those who find an outlet for their lives that involves caring for others discover that whatever else life is, it isn’t boring. A certain amount of boredom is simply a fact of life, but involving ourselves in helping others is one way to make peace with it.
Of course, whatever our circumstances, God never promised us freedom from boredom. God promised to be with us through all things. And as we trust God and go faithfully about our daily tasks, God goes with us, giving us the opportunity to be at peace even when we’re bored.
Amen
A certain amount of boredom is simply a fact of life, but involving ourselves in helping others is one way to make peace with it.
So there’s this guy — we’ll call him Barry. Barry has an important position as a manager at a major corporation, and lately, he’s been going full steam on a major project. He’s even devoted weekends and evenings to it, but finally it’s finished and it’s a great success. Barry receives all kinds of praise and his boss insists that Barry take some time off. Make up for all that time you spent away from your wife, his boss says, so Barry books a vacation for two. The first few days they take in some terrific shows, eat some great meals, even drive out to see the extended family. Barry’s wife enjoys every moment, and so does Barry, at first. By the fourth day, while his wife is doing a little shopping, Barry sits by the pool at the hotel and wonders what else there is to do. With nothing immediately on the agenda, Barry cracks open his laptop computer and logs on to the Internet. He browses a few news and business sites but finds nothing to capture his interest. He logs off, and begins to look forward to returning back to work the following Monday. Barry is bored. The guy’s more bored than a lumber mill. Somewhere else there’s this woman we’ll call Annie. She has always loved to cook, and had long dreamed of opening a catering business, and finally her dream came true. She’s been in business now for five years, and all things considered, it’s gone very well. She’s making money, catering interesting events and loving being her own boss. But for the last several months, the excitement she felt at the start has evaporated, and she moves mechanically through her days, doing her work, but without any joy. Her American Dream has come true. She works everyday at it and all of a sudden she wakes up one morning, looks into the mirror and she’s bored with it. There is no more personal thrill of achievement. She has already reached her goals. Then, at that moment, the despair, and the worry begin.
Barry and Annie are both suffering from boredom, but in different forms. Barry has “everyday boredom.” It’s the grown-up version of what a kid is feeling when he comes up to his parents and moans, “I’m bored! There’s nothing to doooo.” Parents sometimes respond by saying, “Well, why don’t you play with ...” and then reel off a list of all the toys and games the kid has in his room. Of course, that seldom works, because at that moment, he’s looking for new stimulation. We adults too, have our toys and games. We can go to the movies, the theater, the mall, the gym, the stadium or the entertainment complex set up in our own family room. But like Barry, some days, none of that is enough. Annie’s boredom, however, is not from lack of momentary stimulation. Hers is “existential boredom,” where meaning and purpose seem to have been drained out of her life. She does her work each day, and does it well, but inside, it all feels futile. The fact is, whether we are talking about everyday boredom or the existential variety, it’s a fact of life. Boredom is part of life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes has come to realize this as well. “Vanity of vanities!” he says. “All is vanity.” Those are the sentiments of a man suffering the boredom of existence. “I ... applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with. I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.” Those are the words of a troubled man. He’s disturbed by the inability to find meaning in his daily life. He feels that nothing he has done or achieved makes any real difference, and he fears that he’ll go to his grave without discovering specific meaning and purpose to his existence. If life were simple and tidy, the author of Ecclesiastes would have gone on in his book to tell us how he discovered the key to overcoming boredom, and this sermon on his book would be titled something like “Three Easy Steps to an Exciting Life.” At the very least, he would tell us that by trusting God, all boredom would dissolve. But life isn’t simple and tidy, and if you read Ecclesiastes all the way through, you discover that the author doesn’t “conquer” boredom. Rather, he accommodates it as a part of his existence. Before he gets there, though, he tries several remedies, including self-indulgence, lavish spending and sensual pleasures. While he does find some immediate gratification, he also concludes that such is all the reward there is. But in the end, he makes peace his boredeom. And he comes to a few conclusions: Go your way, appreciate your family and passing pleasures, value wisdom and learning, and then this: “Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”. In other words, start with God, because God provides a baseline of meaning and purpose in life. Here’s a story that illustrates this point. A woman drove an armored vehicle that picked up and delivered money. Driving and stopping at stores and banks and waiting for the pickup or drop-off is what she did 10 hours a day, always covering the same route day after day. Talk about boredom! She struggled with her desire to quit and find another job but held on because of the medical insurance benefit and her fear of not finding a job that paid what she was currently making. She grew more and more bored, and before long, bitterness at her life circumstances began to set in. A life-changing turning point for her was the day she decided to give God her day and ask that it be used to accomplish God’s purposes. Instead of mindless existence, she began to use her time while she was waiting to pray — at first for her family and friends, then for concerns raised at church, and eventually she began to pray for the people she met and/or saw from the armored truck. Giving her boredom to God allowed God to transform it into meaning and purpose.”
There’s one more thing we can glean from boredom, but it’s something the author of Ecclesiastes never seemed to grasp. For all his experiments, he never tried helping others. It’s counterintuitive, but time and again, those who find an outlet for their lives that involves caring for others discover that whatever else life is, it isn’t boring. A certain amount of boredom is simply a fact of life, but involving ourselves in helping others is one way to make peace with it.
Of course, whatever our circumstances, God never promised us freedom from boredom. God promised to be with us through all things. And as we trust God and go faithfully about our daily tasks, God goes with us, giving us the opportunity to be at peace even when we’re bored.
Amen
Sermon: Spiritual Double Talk
Opening:
Church Blooper Announcements [Best read by a leader from the church in the manner of making genuine announcements.]
1. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
2. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church.
3. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery.
4. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social, featuring homemade ice-cream. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
5. With Easter Sunday approaching, we will be asking volunteers to come forward and lay eggs on the alter.
6. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet please do so on your way out.
7. The ladies of the church have given up their clothing for this year’s fund raiser. Members of the church may get a sneak peek at them on the Friday prior to the event.
8. Sandy is still in the hospital. She asked me to announce that she is having trouble sleeping and requests recordings of Pastor Rich’s sermons.
9. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
10. The stewardship committee unveiled the church's new giving campaign slogan: "I Upped My Pledge--Now Up Yours."
11. 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
12. Please don't forget this year’s rummage sale. Ladies, It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
13. The confirmation class will be presenting a dramatic Passion Play this year during Lent. The congregation is invited to come and see this tragedy.
Clearly by this list of church bulletin bloopers there is often a difference between what is said and what is heard. In fact much of what we say often has multiple meanings. Our English language is filled with idioms and expressions that mean different things in different contexts. Take the expression “getting ahead”. We use this expression often in our language, but its meaning is dependent upon context? In a conversation about financial matters, this means trying to pay off credit cards, or put more money in a savings account. In a conversation about professional success it has to do with advancing one’s self to a higher place within the company. But, when used by a person behind the wheel of a car it means to pass a slower moving vehicle. Often what we say has multiple meanings, and each different meaning is contingent upon the context. Within the context, we understand quite clearly the meaning behind what is being said, but from the outside looking/listening in, the meaning can be lost or confused.
The church often times struggles with this contextual confusion as well. Within the context of the church, couched in the language and the teaching, we have little problem understanding the message behind the words that are spoken in worship. But, to a person who is not part of the church, this may not be the case. Take for instance the words, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you.” Historically there is evidence to believe that in the early formation of the church, Roman unbelievers made claims that those Christians are cannibals.
So, as we continue to live into the mission of being a church for people who have no church, we need to be mindful in this day of how people hear what we insiders are saying.
But, this contextual understanding of things is not only for the language of worship. We might also want to be mindful of creating our own bulletin bloopers by assuming that newer members are aware of what is being announced. For instance; announcing an annual event with little explanation of what its for, or what’s expected from the volunteers leaves new people floundering to get involved because they do not have the needed insider information to translate the announcement.
Within the context, we understand quite clearly the message behind the words, but from outside the context we often can’t and this leads to confusion. This is true of God’s Word as well.
Gospel:
Jesus speaks God’s Word to a diverse crowd of people. Some came from Jerusalem [Jews], and some came from as far as Tyre and Sidon [Gentiles]. By Jesus’ message to them we can surmise that some were poor and hungry, while others were more affluent and well fed. Some were hated and excluded, while others were loved and received social praise. Some were grieving, while others were joyful. People of various different backgrounds, different religions, different stations in life. Of this motley crowd of different people, they all had one thing in common. Verse 18 says they all came to hear him and to be healed. And so, he spoke to them words of healing.
To the poor, the hungry, the broken-hearted, the outcast his words were like salve on their wounded souls.
Blessed are you .
But to the affluent and well fed, the socially acceptable, and those
currently experiencing joy, Jesus’ words would have sounded more like a bitter pill.
Woe to you.
So that there is no confusion, even though Jesus delivers his message in two parts (blessings and woes) the Word of God remains the same.
Beneath the surface of the list of blessings and woes is the same
Message—God’s love is for all.
It has been said that God’s Word, when properly proclaimed, will do two things. It will comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. Those who heard God’s Word on that day as comfort probably remained as Jesus’ disciples. But, I wonder, what of the people who heard it as affliction? Did they hear it all? Or, did they ignore Jesus call to change their ways? Did they change their ways and follow him onward? The text doesn’t tell us.
Connection:
How do we hear God’s word? When we are in need, when we are threatened, when we are crying, when we are rejected, we hear God’s Word loud and clear. It comforts us, and we join the church, and we continue coming to church just as those who were in the crowd came to Jesus because they wanted to hear him and be healed. And we learn to believe and trust that whenever we are afflicted we can count on God to comfort us by His Word. In bad times, God’s Word is clear and we listen and we follow.
But, what about when times are good, when we are comfortable? Do we hear God challenging us to grow in discipleship, to remain faithful, to change our ways so that others less fortunate may be blessed?
Closing:
Fortunately, God’s Word comes to us in the life promised through the love of Jesus. Such that all of us who believe and are baptized are given freely this promise of God’s eternity.
Its important for us to remember then, that no matter if it challenges us or comforts us, God’s Word for us is always one of God’s love and care for His chosen people.
Therefore, no matter if we are comforted or afflicted by God’s Word we want to be listening and following.
I remember the person I once was. But, because of God’s love—both tough and tender— today I am thankful that I no longer recognize the person in those memories.
My guess is that you might be able to say the same thing about your relationship with God.
Words may mean different things to those who listen in from outside the context of the message, but to those of us within the context, the meaning of the words is most often very clear.
Remain then in relationship to God through Jesus, and when God’s Word is spoken to you, there will be no confusion.
God’s Word is not a blooper.
Let us pray…
Lord God, by your mercy keep us in relationship with you, that your Word would always be our guidance and comfort. Amen
Church Blooper Announcements [Best read by a leader from the church in the manner of making genuine announcements.]
1. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
2. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church.
3. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery.
4. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social, featuring homemade ice-cream. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
5. With Easter Sunday approaching, we will be asking volunteers to come forward and lay eggs on the alter.
6. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet please do so on your way out.
7. The ladies of the church have given up their clothing for this year’s fund raiser. Members of the church may get a sneak peek at them on the Friday prior to the event.
8. Sandy is still in the hospital. She asked me to announce that she is having trouble sleeping and requests recordings of Pastor Rich’s sermons.
9. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
10. The stewardship committee unveiled the church's new giving campaign slogan: "I Upped My Pledge--Now Up Yours."
11. 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
12. Please don't forget this year’s rummage sale. Ladies, It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
13. The confirmation class will be presenting a dramatic Passion Play this year during Lent. The congregation is invited to come and see this tragedy.
Clearly by this list of church bulletin bloopers there is often a difference between what is said and what is heard. In fact much of what we say often has multiple meanings. Our English language is filled with idioms and expressions that mean different things in different contexts. Take the expression “getting ahead”. We use this expression often in our language, but its meaning is dependent upon context? In a conversation about financial matters, this means trying to pay off credit cards, or put more money in a savings account. In a conversation about professional success it has to do with advancing one’s self to a higher place within the company. But, when used by a person behind the wheel of a car it means to pass a slower moving vehicle. Often what we say has multiple meanings, and each different meaning is contingent upon the context. Within the context, we understand quite clearly the meaning behind what is being said, but from the outside looking/listening in, the meaning can be lost or confused.
The church often times struggles with this contextual confusion as well. Within the context of the church, couched in the language and the teaching, we have little problem understanding the message behind the words that are spoken in worship. But, to a person who is not part of the church, this may not be the case. Take for instance the words, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you.” Historically there is evidence to believe that in the early formation of the church, Roman unbelievers made claims that those Christians are cannibals.
So, as we continue to live into the mission of being a church for people who have no church, we need to be mindful in this day of how people hear what we insiders are saying.
But, this contextual understanding of things is not only for the language of worship. We might also want to be mindful of creating our own bulletin bloopers by assuming that newer members are aware of what is being announced. For instance; announcing an annual event with little explanation of what its for, or what’s expected from the volunteers leaves new people floundering to get involved because they do not have the needed insider information to translate the announcement.
Within the context, we understand quite clearly the message behind the words, but from outside the context we often can’t and this leads to confusion. This is true of God’s Word as well.
Gospel:
Jesus speaks God’s Word to a diverse crowd of people. Some came from Jerusalem [Jews], and some came from as far as Tyre and Sidon [Gentiles]. By Jesus’ message to them we can surmise that some were poor and hungry, while others were more affluent and well fed. Some were hated and excluded, while others were loved and received social praise. Some were grieving, while others were joyful. People of various different backgrounds, different religions, different stations in life. Of this motley crowd of different people, they all had one thing in common. Verse 18 says they all came to hear him and to be healed. And so, he spoke to them words of healing.
To the poor, the hungry, the broken-hearted, the outcast his words were like salve on their wounded souls.
Blessed are you .
But to the affluent and well fed, the socially acceptable, and those
currently experiencing joy, Jesus’ words would have sounded more like a bitter pill.
Woe to you.
So that there is no confusion, even though Jesus delivers his message in two parts (blessings and woes) the Word of God remains the same.
Beneath the surface of the list of blessings and woes is the same
Message—God’s love is for all.
It has been said that God’s Word, when properly proclaimed, will do two things. It will comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. Those who heard God’s Word on that day as comfort probably remained as Jesus’ disciples. But, I wonder, what of the people who heard it as affliction? Did they hear it all? Or, did they ignore Jesus call to change their ways? Did they change their ways and follow him onward? The text doesn’t tell us.
Connection:
How do we hear God’s word? When we are in need, when we are threatened, when we are crying, when we are rejected, we hear God’s Word loud and clear. It comforts us, and we join the church, and we continue coming to church just as those who were in the crowd came to Jesus because they wanted to hear him and be healed. And we learn to believe and trust that whenever we are afflicted we can count on God to comfort us by His Word. In bad times, God’s Word is clear and we listen and we follow.
But, what about when times are good, when we are comfortable? Do we hear God challenging us to grow in discipleship, to remain faithful, to change our ways so that others less fortunate may be blessed?
Closing:
Fortunately, God’s Word comes to us in the life promised through the love of Jesus. Such that all of us who believe and are baptized are given freely this promise of God’s eternity.
Its important for us to remember then, that no matter if it challenges us or comforts us, God’s Word for us is always one of God’s love and care for His chosen people.
Therefore, no matter if we are comforted or afflicted by God’s Word we want to be listening and following.
I remember the person I once was. But, because of God’s love—both tough and tender— today I am thankful that I no longer recognize the person in those memories.
My guess is that you might be able to say the same thing about your relationship with God.
Words may mean different things to those who listen in from outside the context of the message, but to those of us within the context, the meaning of the words is most often very clear.
Remain then in relationship to God through Jesus, and when God’s Word is spoken to you, there will be no confusion.
God’s Word is not a blooper.
Let us pray…
Lord God, by your mercy keep us in relationship with you, that your Word would always be our guidance and comfort. Amen
Newsletter June
Did you know that Pennsylvania made recycling the law in July of 1988? My guess is that most people don’t know that. But, it’s true. With Act 101, the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, Pennsylvania became the largest state in the nation to require recycling.
However, if you ask the folks in Caernarvon Township, where Amy and I live, if they recycle do you know what they’ll tell you? Here’s what they’ll tell you. We don’t recycle! However, they probably won't tell you this in such a blunt way as this. They will say that the residents are welcome to recycle on their own. Yea sure, who wants to load up recyclables in the trunk of their car and drive them yourself to the local dump every week? Not I. And, my guess is, not you either. In other words the answer to the question remains. We don't recycle!
I have learned that in Honey Brook Township the circumstance isn’t much different. Everyone is welcome to recycle, even encouraged to recycle—if they want to. Well, who WANTS to sort their garbage into differentiating containers? Who WANTS to wash out bottles, jars and cans? Who WANTS to stack up, and possibly even bundle up their paper? Who WANTS to recycle? Most don’t. Therefore, even though our state boasts about becoming the largest state in the nation to REQUIRE recycling, in the end the state is doing very little to enforce their recycling law. As a result most people in the state of Pennsylvania, as is the case here in our area, choose to not recycle.
But, we are believers in God. Because our faith is that which guides us, we are asked by God to live according to God’s law first and civil laws second. This means God asks us to try to live according to His law in all aspects of life. God calls us to be good stewards of creation. We all know that recycling saves resources, saves energy, and saves the environment. We all know that recycling is one way to be a good steward of creation. The stewardship of God's creation is an issue important enough to prompt us to find a way to recycle. "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." You may have heard that before. It's in the bible, in the book of Joshua. In other words, as it pertains to this message, "For me and my house, we will recycle." This means that for you and me, contrary to the township, RECYCLING IS NOT AN OPTION. This is why I was so pleased to see large recycling receptacles placed all around the church property during the Spring Fling in May.
The question for us is not IF we will recycle, but HOW. The recycling options are dependent upon the area in which you live. For Amy and me, we can load up our recyclables in the car once a week and take them to Lanchester ourselves, or we can pay $25/month for a local trash hauler to make a special stop at our house each week. Given those two options, I gladly pay the $25/month to not have to "truck" them myself in the trunk of my car.
Our township does not enforce the state’s requirement for recycling. But this law is in consort with God’s law of good stewardship. So, even though the civil authorities do not enforce this we ought to do so anyway. If your home is already a recycling home, GREAT! For the rest of us, maybe this summer is a good time to start taking recycling more seriously. After all, God has given us the beauty of the earth to appreciate and protect, not consume and throw away. So, let’s offer to God our best effort at keeping it beautiful and rich with natural resources.
A Blessed Summer to all of you,
+Rich
However, if you ask the folks in Caernarvon Township, where Amy and I live, if they recycle do you know what they’ll tell you? Here’s what they’ll tell you. We don’t recycle! However, they probably won't tell you this in such a blunt way as this. They will say that the residents are welcome to recycle on their own. Yea sure, who wants to load up recyclables in the trunk of their car and drive them yourself to the local dump every week? Not I. And, my guess is, not you either. In other words the answer to the question remains. We don't recycle!
I have learned that in Honey Brook Township the circumstance isn’t much different. Everyone is welcome to recycle, even encouraged to recycle—if they want to. Well, who WANTS to sort their garbage into differentiating containers? Who WANTS to wash out bottles, jars and cans? Who WANTS to stack up, and possibly even bundle up their paper? Who WANTS to recycle? Most don’t. Therefore, even though our state boasts about becoming the largest state in the nation to REQUIRE recycling, in the end the state is doing very little to enforce their recycling law. As a result most people in the state of Pennsylvania, as is the case here in our area, choose to not recycle.
But, we are believers in God. Because our faith is that which guides us, we are asked by God to live according to God’s law first and civil laws second. This means God asks us to try to live according to His law in all aspects of life. God calls us to be good stewards of creation. We all know that recycling saves resources, saves energy, and saves the environment. We all know that recycling is one way to be a good steward of creation. The stewardship of God's creation is an issue important enough to prompt us to find a way to recycle. "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord." You may have heard that before. It's in the bible, in the book of Joshua. In other words, as it pertains to this message, "For me and my house, we will recycle." This means that for you and me, contrary to the township, RECYCLING IS NOT AN OPTION. This is why I was so pleased to see large recycling receptacles placed all around the church property during the Spring Fling in May.
The question for us is not IF we will recycle, but HOW. The recycling options are dependent upon the area in which you live. For Amy and me, we can load up our recyclables in the car once a week and take them to Lanchester ourselves, or we can pay $25/month for a local trash hauler to make a special stop at our house each week. Given those two options, I gladly pay the $25/month to not have to "truck" them myself in the trunk of my car.
Our township does not enforce the state’s requirement for recycling. But this law is in consort with God’s law of good stewardship. So, even though the civil authorities do not enforce this we ought to do so anyway. If your home is already a recycling home, GREAT! For the rest of us, maybe this summer is a good time to start taking recycling more seriously. After all, God has given us the beauty of the earth to appreciate and protect, not consume and throw away. So, let’s offer to God our best effort at keeping it beautiful and rich with natural resources.
A Blessed Summer to all of you,
+Rich
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Pastor Rich
