From here...to where???
This Sunday, we will hear the story of the call of Abram (aka Abraham) as reported in Genesis, chapter 12. Now, Abram was not a native of Haran (the town he's living in at the time he "heard the Voice"). Abram was originally from a place well east of there, at the other end of the Tigris/Euphrates valley known as "Ur of the Chaldeans" (cf. Genesis 11:28).
So, with the assurance that the Voice he hears belongs to God (and is not the result of bad digestion), Abram packs his family, his flocks/herds and his possessions and he's on the move. Without so much as a map...but something better, JPS -- Jehovah's Positioning System. And through the direct intervention of the Almighty, Abram eventually makes it to Canaan. Mission accomplished.
I've been thinking about that story today as my e-mail inbox has collected various messages from folks unknown to me. They are writing poignant, heart-felt pleas...and they are writing angry, accusatory missives...and everything in between. These e-mails are all working to convince me (and a number of other folks) about the absolute necessity of making a particular decision in their favor. Now, to be fair, my correspondents believe they are advocating a position that is in the longterm interest of this Diocese. They also believe their position is strongly buttressed by a proper understanding of stewardship and ministry. I'm not altogether convinced by their arguments. I disagree with their methodology. I can appreciate their convictions.
What we all need for certainty's sake in this debate is either: an Audible Voice or an inerrant map. I think all of us would like to know where we're going and what the best way forward might be. Certainty would be a gift.
What we're given instead is each other....with all of our agendas and flaws...with all our arrogance and pride...with all our hurt and pain....with all our anger and passive-aggressivity...with all our potential and all our problems.
And somehow, the Spirit broods over the swirling chaos we so easily create when we are in disagreement. And every now and then enough order is drawn out of the chaos to enable the Church to lurch forward a bit -- though not exactly on a straight line, rather wobbling and staggering toward where we hope and trust God might be leading us.
We Christians keep practicing (sometimes poorly!) being a community. A community that is bound together in Christ. Bound together, even in our disagreements and disputes. Bound together even when we'd prefer to wander off following maps of our own devising, and listening to the sound of our own voices. Bound together by the Love that holds us even when we are unable to restrain ourselves.
In the absence of inerrant maps and/or the Audible Voice, I would hope we can make our respective journeys of discernment and decision-making as followers and friends of Jesus...and friends to each other.
This Sunday, we will hear the story of the call of Abram (aka Abraham) as reported in Genesis, chapter 12. Now, Abram was not a native of Haran (the town he's living in at the time he "heard the Voice"). Abram was originally from a place well east of there, at the other end of the Tigris/Euphrates valley known as "Ur of the Chaldeans" (cf. Genesis 11:28).
So, with the assurance that the Voice he hears belongs to God (and is not the result of bad digestion), Abram packs his family, his flocks/herds and his possessions and he's on the move. Without so much as a map...but something better, JPS -- Jehovah's Positioning System. And through the direct intervention of the Almighty, Abram eventually makes it to Canaan. Mission accomplished.
I've been thinking about that story today as my e-mail inbox has collected various messages from folks unknown to me. They are writing poignant, heart-felt pleas...and they are writing angry, accusatory missives...and everything in between. These e-mails are all working to convince me (and a number of other folks) about the absolute necessity of making a particular decision in their favor. Now, to be fair, my correspondents believe they are advocating a position that is in the longterm interest of this Diocese. They also believe their position is strongly buttressed by a proper understanding of stewardship and ministry. I'm not altogether convinced by their arguments. I disagree with their methodology. I can appreciate their convictions.
What we all need for certainty's sake in this debate is either: an Audible Voice or an inerrant map. I think all of us would like to know where we're going and what the best way forward might be. Certainty would be a gift.
What we're given instead is each other....with all of our agendas and flaws...with all our arrogance and pride...with all our hurt and pain....with all our anger and passive-aggressivity...with all our potential and all our problems.
And somehow, the Spirit broods over the swirling chaos we so easily create when we are in disagreement. And every now and then enough order is drawn out of the chaos to enable the Church to lurch forward a bit -- though not exactly on a straight line, rather wobbling and staggering toward where we hope and trust God might be leading us.
We Christians keep practicing (sometimes poorly!) being a community. A community that is bound together in Christ. Bound together, even in our disagreements and disputes. Bound together even when we'd prefer to wander off following maps of our own devising, and listening to the sound of our own voices. Bound together by the Love that holds us even when we are unable to restrain ourselves.
In the absence of inerrant maps and/or the Audible Voice, I would hope we can make our respective journeys of discernment and decision-making as followers and friends of Jesus...and friends to each other.
posted by FrGaryB | 3:44 PM
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