There are many favored and treasured Christmas stories we have listened to in our years of growing up and growing older. Some of these stories we have read in books such as Dickens’ A Christmas Carol; some of these we have seen on the big screen such as Jimmy Stewart’s It’s a Wonderful Life; many of these we have watched on television. One of my favorite Christmas stories that I try to watch every Christmas comes from the well known cartoonist – Charles Schulz. It’s called A Charlie Brown Christmas.
In this show Charlie Brown is trying to direct the children’s Christmas program; he’s trying to keep the true meaning of Christmas at the center of the play, yet nothing is going quite right. The children won’t take direction, Snoopy is being a character, and no one seems to understand what Christmas is truly about! Charlie is left standing on the stage where they have been rehearsing and in his frustration he cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Linus, who is standing there with thumb in his mouth and blanket tucked up under his arm replies, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about”
Linus walks to the center of the stage, calls out “Lights please” and as the lights dim he begins to recite from the Gospel of Luke:
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Lk: 2:8-14)
That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown. Unto us is born this day a Savior – Christ the Lord. A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.
As we look around we see the sights and sounds, the symbols and the fragrances, the traditions and the lights, the decorations, the parades, the parties, the plays, the pageants, the music, the worship services – all celebrating the birth of the little baby in a little town called Bethlehem some two thousand years ago.
I suppose it is the mystery and majesty and enormity of the gift of this child to us that leaves me in amazement. Have you ever wondered, as I have, that when God chose the means of revealing himself to us, of entering into our world, that he chose to do so not as a philosopher, nor an emperor or established monarchy but as baby?
This is different than anything God had done before. Noah was 600 years old when God spoke to him and he began to build the ark in anticipation of the coming flood. Abraham was about 100 years old when God spoke to him commanding him to leave his home and travel to some unknown place where God would make of him a great nation. Moses was around 80 years old when God spoke to him from the burning bush commanding him to lead his people out of Egypt.
Yet, Jesus enters this world and from the very start – as an infant – begins to make a difference in the lives of those around him. There are shepherds who come down from the fields to see this baby whom the angel has told them about. There are wise men that travel from the east to give this child of their gifts. And of course Mary and Joseph gazed upon their newborn child and wondered at what was taking place. The little bit we know of Jesus as an infant and child reflect that he was making a difference right from the very beginning of his birth.
A baby means to us a new hope. Who among us has not held a baby in our arms and saw not only the smiling face and waving hands of cute little child, but looked into the future and saw the promise of what this child could become. We wonder what the future holds and not only for this child, but for ourselves as well, with this child.
I imagine those who looked upon the infant child Jesus saw something of the promises of things to come.
One of the Old Testament prophets Ezekiel, delivers God’s word of a promise fulfilled, many years before Jesus is born. He tells the people, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” (36:26)
It is this promise and this fulfillment of this promise that becomes the very heart of our Christian faith and our Christmas celebration. A new heart and a new spirit are realization of the promise God made to us through Jesus Christ.
Luke and even Linus remind us that we have received the good news of a great joy that is for all the people. For unto us is born in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. Now is the time for all of us to bring this good news to the poor, this message of hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.
As we go about our Christmas celebration, out into our own part of the world, let God shape our new hearts and spirit that we might become for those in need the sign of Jesus Christ alive and well and active not only this season, but throughout the year.
Merry Christmas to you my friends – May Christ be at the heart of all you do.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
There Is Dirt On The Way To Heaven
Last year, around this time, I spent a couple of hours with a man who is on a 5-year bicycle journey across the states raising the awareness of a POW in the Iraq war. He came into my office shedding many layers of clothing and then spent an hour or so telling me his story. In the end I asked how I could be of help to him, resulting in my taking him to the Comfort Inn and putting him up for two nights and buying him lunch at McDonalds. From there he would continue his biking journey into Minnesota. After unloading his bike, his huge pack and some of his clothing from the back of my Saturn and him from my front passenger seat I noticed quite a bit of dirt and slush from the snow in the back as well as some grease on the passenger seat. I tend to obsess a bit about neatness and the ‘dirt’ left behind caused me a small amount of anxiety. With rags, vacuum, and Resolve to the rescue I was able to get past that moment.
In reflection of my helping the man, but being a bit anxious about the dirt left behind, I realized that there is dirt on the way to heaven. We encounter dirt in many forms as we strive to live better lives and help those around us. John Wesley wrote what is known as the General Rules for Society. One of these rules tells us we are to be merciful and when possible do good, in every way, to all humanity. Yet, in doing so we often times have to go outside our comfort zone. I am very comfortable when things are nice, neat, orderly and just so. Unfortunately, that isn’t always how it is for me. Life itself isn’t very nice, neat, orderly and just so and sometimes I just have to resolve myself to this. No pun intended!
Quite a number of years ago I spent two years overseeing the Feed the Homeless program for our church in Madison. The people I met were homeless folks who hadn’t showered, brushed their teeth or changed their clothing in days. Nevertheless, they were interesting and in different ways quite wonderful people. I served them dinner, sat next to them, and ate meals with them. I’ve also worked on missions’ trips helping to rebuild buildings, cut back brush and dig ditches. I remember going back to the church where we stayed barely having enough energy to take a shower. I was tempted to fall asleep with several layers of dirt on me more than once. In my own younger life I have strayed, at times, from the path Jesus put before me – delving in my own forms of ‘dirt’.
There are many kinds of dirt in our lives, isn’t there? Yet, with a bit of resolve (or Resolve), with faith in Jesus, with prayer, with help from those around us, with being part of a faithful church family, with strength from the Holy Spirit and with commitment to Christ we can make our way through the dirt. We can be washed clean. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 7)
Let us go forth today knowing we are cleansed on our way to heaven even as we give ourselves to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Until next time peace and blessings,
Pastor Patrick
In reflection of my helping the man, but being a bit anxious about the dirt left behind, I realized that there is dirt on the way to heaven. We encounter dirt in many forms as we strive to live better lives and help those around us. John Wesley wrote what is known as the General Rules for Society. One of these rules tells us we are to be merciful and when possible do good, in every way, to all humanity. Yet, in doing so we often times have to go outside our comfort zone. I am very comfortable when things are nice, neat, orderly and just so. Unfortunately, that isn’t always how it is for me. Life itself isn’t very nice, neat, orderly and just so and sometimes I just have to resolve myself to this. No pun intended!
Quite a number of years ago I spent two years overseeing the Feed the Homeless program for our church in Madison. The people I met were homeless folks who hadn’t showered, brushed their teeth or changed their clothing in days. Nevertheless, they were interesting and in different ways quite wonderful people. I served them dinner, sat next to them, and ate meals with them. I’ve also worked on missions’ trips helping to rebuild buildings, cut back brush and dig ditches. I remember going back to the church where we stayed barely having enough energy to take a shower. I was tempted to fall asleep with several layers of dirt on me more than once. In my own younger life I have strayed, at times, from the path Jesus put before me – delving in my own forms of ‘dirt’.
There are many kinds of dirt in our lives, isn’t there? Yet, with a bit of resolve (or Resolve), with faith in Jesus, with prayer, with help from those around us, with being part of a faithful church family, with strength from the Holy Spirit and with commitment to Christ we can make our way through the dirt. We can be washed clean. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 7)
Let us go forth today knowing we are cleansed on our way to heaven even as we give ourselves to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Until next time peace and blessings,
Pastor Patrick
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Let Our Hearts Be Broken
As president of the Greater Milton Ministry Association I will be meeting with the local pastors and district school superintendent in just a few days. I'll lead the time of prayer and open the discussion with a focus on the economic situation and how it affects the families in our communities. Let me share with you the devotion and prayer I have written for this meeting. I believe with my whole heart that it speaks to all of us.
Devotion for Dec 17th
My prayer this morning is going to be a simple one, yet I believe it has far reaching implications. My prayer is this: God, break my heart for the things that break yours.
This morning as we gather together we are going to discuss our economic situation and how this affects the families in our community. Many of us see the adverse affects of our economical downturn in our churches as well as our school systems. While each of us has, in our own ways, contributed to this situation of excessive debt it is time for us to be leaders not only in our churches but in our community by helping to contribute to the solution. I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure how we are going to do that, but my faith in God tells me that together – with one another and with God leading the way – we can find a way.
I have talked with numerous people, families and individuals, who have lost their jobs, who are struggling to put food on their tables, who are being evicted from their homes because they are unable to pay rent, who are unable to get their medical prescriptions filled. There is a trickle down effect of the GM plant closing, other companies laying off or eliminating shifts, and of soaring prices. Thankfully the gas prices have come down a bit – and this has helped.
The biblical mandate given to us as followers of Jesus leaves us no option other than to keep the broken and the poor at the center of our priorities. “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.” (Proverbs 41:1). May we keep this in mind as we meet today and as we go forth from this table and back into our own churches and micro-communities, let us pray that God will continue to move us to lead in a way that helps bring hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.
Let us pray: Gracious God, find it in our hearts today that we may come together as Christian leaders to find ways to bring relief and ease to those who are hurting. May our hearts be broken by the very things that break your heart. Amen.
Devotion for Dec 17th
My prayer this morning is going to be a simple one, yet I believe it has far reaching implications. My prayer is this: God, break my heart for the things that break yours.
This morning as we gather together we are going to discuss our economic situation and how this affects the families in our community. Many of us see the adverse affects of our economical downturn in our churches as well as our school systems. While each of us has, in our own ways, contributed to this situation of excessive debt it is time for us to be leaders not only in our churches but in our community by helping to contribute to the solution. I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure how we are going to do that, but my faith in God tells me that together – with one another and with God leading the way – we can find a way.
I have talked with numerous people, families and individuals, who have lost their jobs, who are struggling to put food on their tables, who are being evicted from their homes because they are unable to pay rent, who are unable to get their medical prescriptions filled. There is a trickle down effect of the GM plant closing, other companies laying off or eliminating shifts, and of soaring prices. Thankfully the gas prices have come down a bit – and this has helped.
The biblical mandate given to us as followers of Jesus leaves us no option other than to keep the broken and the poor at the center of our priorities. “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.” (Proverbs 41:1). May we keep this in mind as we meet today and as we go forth from this table and back into our own churches and micro-communities, let us pray that God will continue to move us to lead in a way that helps bring hope to the hopeless and help to the helpless.
Let us pray: Gracious God, find it in our hearts today that we may come together as Christian leaders to find ways to bring relief and ease to those who are hurting. May our hearts be broken by the very things that break your heart. Amen.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Place our trust in the Lord
This last year I committed, along with several of my congregation, to read the Bible through from Genesis to Revelations three chapters a day and on Sunday five chapters. This morning, in my daily reading my attention was caught by the words of Jesus Christ written in Matthew chapter six. Verses twenty-five through thirty-four share a comforting message of needing not to worry. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear.” In this day we have much to worry about. I’ve had recent conversations with a single mom who is out of work and worried about keeping their apartment – with no income she is uncertain how she will make rent. Another woman I talked with has been out of work for almost six-months. A young girl has an aunt with terminal cancer. Another person suffers from depression. A husband and wife are having marital problems. The parents of teenagers are pulling their hair out over the dangerous antics of the teens. There is enough worry and concern to go around, of that I have no doubt.
How then, do these words from Jesus Christ bring us comfort? Where do we find ease from these problems we face each day? Verse thirty-three tells us, “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Putting Christ and the kingdom of God first allows us to focus on what is really important in our lives. Our regular devotion, prayer, fasting and serving permits us clearer minds on what is to be valued and helps us to make wiser decisions. Our decisions and life-style choices impact what happens on a day to day basis.
In my pre-marital counseling with young couples I always bring attention to how the couples will move forward in their relationship. Who will they place first, each other or God? If we place God first then the troubles we face will be more manageable and more easily overcome. We no longer rely on the other person to be our all, but we rely on God to be our all.
I think this is, in part, what Christ is telling us through the writings of Matthew. We are to put God first in everything we do. That is where our reliance is to be. Not on the secular powers or authorities or on one another. Indeed we do rely on one another for some things, as God intends. However, ultimately our reliance must be on God. This will bring us a peace of mind, soul and assurance that we are in the good hands of our Creator.
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
How then, do these words from Jesus Christ bring us comfort? Where do we find ease from these problems we face each day? Verse thirty-three tells us, “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Putting Christ and the kingdom of God first allows us to focus on what is really important in our lives. Our regular devotion, prayer, fasting and serving permits us clearer minds on what is to be valued and helps us to make wiser decisions. Our decisions and life-style choices impact what happens on a day to day basis.
In my pre-marital counseling with young couples I always bring attention to how the couples will move forward in their relationship. Who will they place first, each other or God? If we place God first then the troubles we face will be more manageable and more easily overcome. We no longer rely on the other person to be our all, but we rely on God to be our all.
I think this is, in part, what Christ is telling us through the writings of Matthew. We are to put God first in everything we do. That is where our reliance is to be. Not on the secular powers or authorities or on one another. Indeed we do rely on one another for some things, as God intends. However, ultimately our reliance must be on God. This will bring us a peace of mind, soul and assurance that we are in the good hands of our Creator.
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Friday, November 7, 2008
Prayers for the President
It’s Tuesday evening and I’m following the presidential and other national and local political races on the one television channel we have – Channel 27 WKOW and ABC. My family and I are at a relatively remote cottage off Curtis Lake in Marquette County. We are on a brief vacation – gratitude of our neighbor and church member who loaned us the use of their family cottage. The remoteness is beautiful, the lake serene, the weather is unbelievably warm (low to mid-70’s). We could not have asked for a better vacation spot to relax in after a very busy year at the church.
We are fortunate to have one television channel reception on which I am watching and listening to the race results. At this time it is 8:30 pm. Results are still coming in and while I have my suspicions I am not sure who will be our next United States president. Regardless, I am prayerfully hopeful the “right” president will be elected. “Right” means different things to different people. In light of our last eight years, the wars, the economy, and the overall confidence of the US people, I believe “right” boils down to a leader who can lead with an assuredness that will rejuvenate this country.
Regardless of who is successful there will be great challenges before the president. Our new president must have vision, be able to plan, react and pro-act effectively while reestablishing confidence in our country. Our new president must take great strides to renew our economy, address the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention Pakistan and North Korea. Beyond this, the American people need to have a renewed faith in the president. Our next president must be able to plan, strategize, command with confidence, and rebuild worldwide damaged relationships. The character of this president will be of primary concern. The news reporters are interviewing people in Ohio as I type this blog and many of the people are saying we need change.
Indeed we need change. And as of approximately 10:15 p.m. ABC has declared by electoral votes our new president elect to be Barack Obama. Can he fulfill the basis of his campaign promise to bring about positive and healthy change? Time will tell. This is a historic moment that will undoubtedly affect millions of lives in ways heretofore unexpected and perhaps un-thought of.
Tonight I pray that he will walk with God in his decisions. May he ask for God’s guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about the greater good – God’s good. May God’s hand of wisdom lie upon him bringing new insight, courage and fortitude to handle the challenges he will face. May God bless him and keep him strong in this most difficult journey and may he be blessed to be a blessing unto others. May the Light of Christ shine in perpetuity through this man as he chases the darkness from this land. As our faith and hope lie in Christ, may we once again regain our faith and hope in our president.
We are fortunate to have one television channel reception on which I am watching and listening to the race results. At this time it is 8:30 pm. Results are still coming in and while I have my suspicions I am not sure who will be our next United States president. Regardless, I am prayerfully hopeful the “right” president will be elected. “Right” means different things to different people. In light of our last eight years, the wars, the economy, and the overall confidence of the US people, I believe “right” boils down to a leader who can lead with an assuredness that will rejuvenate this country.
Regardless of who is successful there will be great challenges before the president. Our new president must have vision, be able to plan, react and pro-act effectively while reestablishing confidence in our country. Our new president must take great strides to renew our economy, address the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention Pakistan and North Korea. Beyond this, the American people need to have a renewed faith in the president. Our next president must be able to plan, strategize, command with confidence, and rebuild worldwide damaged relationships. The character of this president will be of primary concern. The news reporters are interviewing people in Ohio as I type this blog and many of the people are saying we need change.
Indeed we need change. And as of approximately 10:15 p.m. ABC has declared by electoral votes our new president elect to be Barack Obama. Can he fulfill the basis of his campaign promise to bring about positive and healthy change? Time will tell. This is a historic moment that will undoubtedly affect millions of lives in ways heretofore unexpected and perhaps un-thought of.
Tonight I pray that he will walk with God in his decisions. May he ask for God’s guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about the greater good – God’s good. May God’s hand of wisdom lie upon him bringing new insight, courage and fortitude to handle the challenges he will face. May God bless him and keep him strong in this most difficult journey and may he be blessed to be a blessing unto others. May the Light of Christ shine in perpetuity through this man as he chases the darkness from this land. As our faith and hope lie in Christ, may we once again regain our faith and hope in our president.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Plumbing the Depths
Sometimes those in ministry may fall into the trap of believing their function – their role as pastor and preacher – is quite special and separate from others. They read the Scripture, study about God from the Bible as well as other books, and they tell other people what they do not know. They are to preach the Word and the congregation is to listen. So who are the experts in spiritual and theological matters? Perhaps you begin to see the dilemma?
The truth of the matter is something all together different. The Holy Spirit does not only speak through the lips of the preachers and their lives– but others as well. The Holy Spirit may chose to speak through any who are open to receiving the Spirit whether they be those on the top of their preaching game or those who are experiencing great difficulty and may be considered the dregs of life by others. There are those through whom deep life-experiences brings about a profound conviction not felt by anyone without similar experiences.
Wise pastors will listen sensitively to the lives spoken by others around him, that he might catch the glimpse of the Holy Spirit at work and see God’s reality made manifest which can give a new warmth and wider perspective to what he is preaching about. Such messages come not from the pulpit to the pew, but from the pew to the pulpit. Or more truly from the one who has not set foot in the church to sit in the pew. That is the one whom we must listen to. For there in lies the message we must hear.
When we hear this message and begin to plumb its depths to better understand the vast chasm between ourselves then we will begin to understand how God calls us to be amongst the un-churched and how to reach them.
The truth of the matter is something all together different. The Holy Spirit does not only speak through the lips of the preachers and their lives– but others as well. The Holy Spirit may chose to speak through any who are open to receiving the Spirit whether they be those on the top of their preaching game or those who are experiencing great difficulty and may be considered the dregs of life by others. There are those through whom deep life-experiences brings about a profound conviction not felt by anyone without similar experiences.
Wise pastors will listen sensitively to the lives spoken by others around him, that he might catch the glimpse of the Holy Spirit at work and see God’s reality made manifest which can give a new warmth and wider perspective to what he is preaching about. Such messages come not from the pulpit to the pew, but from the pew to the pulpit. Or more truly from the one who has not set foot in the church to sit in the pew. That is the one whom we must listen to. For there in lies the message we must hear.
When we hear this message and begin to plumb its depths to better understand the vast chasm between ourselves then we will begin to understand how God calls us to be amongst the un-churched and how to reach them.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Rallies get Rough
In recent Wisconsin GOP rallies Obama has been taking a heated pounding from the rally-ers to the extent of what I would call unreasonable.
KDKA.com reports, “Some in the audience are making it personal, against the Democrat. Shouts of “traitor,” “terrorist,” “treason,” “liar,” and even “off with his head” have rung from the crowd at McCain and Sarah Palin rallies, and gone unchallenged by them.” In another rally a woman stands up and proclaims, “I don't trust Obama,” a woman said. “I have read about him. He’s an Arab.” Admittedly, McCain is defending Obama’s character by responding that Obama is a decent person and a person you don’t have to be afraid of being President of the US. At the same time Palin (and McCain) are accusing Obama of “palling” around with terrorists because of his very lose association with Ayers – a 1960’s radical.
I must admit that I am surprised with the vehemence of rally-goers who call out such comments as these. I’m not sure where the names of traitor or treason come from. When we look at Obama’s record as Chicago social worker and Illinois senator we see that he has done great works for the needy. I would say that Obama is more liberal than I am and certainly I don’t agree with everything he is about. However, I do not agree with everything about McCain either. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could take the best attributes of both candidates, blend them together and have the best possible leader of our country?
I’ve often thought that in our present country’s situation we need to have two nation’s leaders – one who focuses on the international and one who focuses one the local. I’m sure this thought is rife with problems of its own. That is another thought for another blog.
I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on the words, emotions, or comments being tossed around in regards to Obama. Do you think they are warranted? Where do you think a Christian should stand in regards to these kinds of comments? Condemn them? Condone them? Offer alternatives? Forgive them? Ignore them?
KDKA.com reports, “Some in the audience are making it personal, against the Democrat. Shouts of “traitor,” “terrorist,” “treason,” “liar,” and even “off with his head” have rung from the crowd at McCain and Sarah Palin rallies, and gone unchallenged by them.” In another rally a woman stands up and proclaims, “I don't trust Obama,” a woman said. “I have read about him. He’s an Arab.” Admittedly, McCain is defending Obama’s character by responding that Obama is a decent person and a person you don’t have to be afraid of being President of the US. At the same time Palin (and McCain) are accusing Obama of “palling” around with terrorists because of his very lose association with Ayers – a 1960’s radical.
I must admit that I am surprised with the vehemence of rally-goers who call out such comments as these. I’m not sure where the names of traitor or treason come from. When we look at Obama’s record as Chicago social worker and Illinois senator we see that he has done great works for the needy. I would say that Obama is more liberal than I am and certainly I don’t agree with everything he is about. However, I do not agree with everything about McCain either. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could take the best attributes of both candidates, blend them together and have the best possible leader of our country?
I’ve often thought that in our present country’s situation we need to have two nation’s leaders – one who focuses on the international and one who focuses one the local. I’m sure this thought is rife with problems of its own. That is another thought for another blog.
I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on the words, emotions, or comments being tossed around in regards to Obama. Do you think they are warranted? Where do you think a Christian should stand in regards to these kinds of comments? Condemn them? Condone them? Offer alternatives? Forgive them? Ignore them?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Yes To God
I recently read a reflection from Abbie Jane Wells who wrote, “Paul as well as Clinton Marsh and just about everybody else tends to forget that it took a “yes” from Mary before God could “sent forth his Son”. This raised an interesting perspective I had not thought of before. Before I share that angle with you let us look at the scriptural text that tells us of the coming birth of Jesus.
The Gospel of Luke tells the story of the angel Gabriel coming to
Initially, Mary questions how she can give birth since she is a virgin. The revelation by the angel troubles her. To be known by a man other than her husband would cause great scandal – she is betrothed to Joseph. In those days a betrothal was almost as binding and committing as the marriage itself. She could be divorced, ostracized and worse—stoned to death for her unfaithfulness. The angel reassures her that the Holy Spirit is active and involved and through the power of God all things are possible. Mary’s amazement turns to faith and acceptance as she gives herself over to God.
Yet, what if she said no? What would the history of our church, our religion, and indeed our world look like if Mary had said no to the angel somehow refusing this gift from God? At first blush we might look and say Mary could never say no – it just isn’t possible. But I would argue that all humanity has been endowed, for better or worse, with free will. All persons have the ability to accept God and all the gifts and grace that come along with it or to reject all that God offers. History shows rejection to be the more common answer given rather than that of acceptance and compliance.
The Israelites rejected God time and time again, not only throughout the Exodus of Egypt but even as their nation was formed and they settled the promised lands across the
Because we have free will we can say no; yet, because of God’s great and endless love God never gives up on us.
Throughout my own life I see a track record of turning away from God. I think of the many times God asked me to talk to a person, to pray for someone, to help shelter or feed someone in need, to give to the church or to attend church services. I think of the many times I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit sending me in a direction I didn’t want to go – so I didn’t. However, once I said yes; once I accepted Christ as my savior and began to follow his teachings God began to work through me, leading me into pastoral ministry where I now serve my church, community and seek ways to reach those disconnected from God.
Is it feasible to say yes to everything God sends my way? I think part of the answer to this question lies in our discernment of what it is God wants us to do.
I must be in prayer with God seeking where and how and what God wants of me in any given situation. At times I believe God says, ‘this is a better task for someone else’. Other times God says, ‘this one is for you’. Regardless, I must be connected with God to hear the answer. When I stop attending church, stop praying, and stop fellowshipping with other Christians I can no longer hear God.
Discernment is vitally important for us as we try to stay in tune with God’s plan. Even Mary paused to discern what God was saying. In Luke 1:29, 34 we see her response: “But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.” “And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin.””
Ultimately, we don’t know how many others God may have propositioned throughout the ages. For all we know there may have been others besides Mary. As Abbie Jane Wells states, “as far as we know, Mary was the first to say an unqualified “yes””.
How much good work has been lost because we have said no? What has been lost because we have not said yes? What would God be able to accomplish if we did say yes (indeed, after careful prayer and discernment)? What do you think our world would look like if more people said yes than no? Now, God’s work will still continue. God’s work will always be accomplished through others who are willing to give of themselves. But, if I don’t allow God to work through me, then what spiritual growth and maturity have I lost? There is both community and personal gain realized when we give ourselves over to God. We are the feet and hands of Christ continuing the ministry and mission he began long, long ago. How do you respond to God’s call?
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