Midweek Moment

Tomorrow is July 4th. Independence Day. The day we have set aside to commemorate our Independence as a country. And boy do we celebrate! Cook outs, family gatherings, pool parties, block parties, more cook outs, and we put a bow on it all with fireworks. Those ohh and ahh explosions in the night sky that celebrate that fact that we are indeed an independent country. (Not to mention most people get the day off!)

I am all for Independence Day. I am all for our country having the religious and governmental freedoms we fought so hard for, over 200 years ago. These freedoms are important, then and now. I am also grateful for all of the people that continue to place themselves in harms way so that I can enjoy those freedoms, so that I can type this blog, and so that I can lead people in a worship service for God each and every week. I am grateful, I am humbled, I am very, very thankful. So for those of you that are reading this, and that gave and currently give of yourself in the defense and progression of those freedoms and our independence...thank you. From the bottom of my heart thank you!

As Christians though, independence can have an entirely different connotation. As a country, we celebrate independence, as we should. As a Christian, independence can be damaging. In worship Sunday, we talked about Balaam and the need for living in connection. The importance of relying on God, on each other, (and donkeys) and the strength that comes from living a connected life. I cannot stress to you enough, the importance that we all stay connected.

Now, by connected, I mean more than just the people you already know. I mean more than just the people you sit around in worship or the people you sit with at lunch after worship. I mean all people. Therefore, let me invite you to try something. Sometime this week, either when you are out and about the town, at some social event, or even at worship next Sunday, stand or sit somewhere where you would not normally. Seek out people to talk to, with whom you would not normally interact. Spend just a minute or two, sixty to one hundred twenty seconds, talking with a person you do not know very well.

Several things can happen when you accept this invitation. One, is you will be uncomfortable. But please, do not let that discourage you. It is when you are uncomfortable, that the Holy Spirit can do his best work! Two, you will be expanding the Kingdom of God. By treating another person with love and kindness, that same love and kindness given to you by Jesus, you will be engaged in the act of being the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus the Christ to another. That interaction may be exactly what that person needed. You do not have to convert every person you speak with, but we do have to treat all people with love. When you give that love away, eventually it will cause another person to give it away, and so on, and so forth. Each encounter, a chance for the Kingdom of God to built just a little bit more. Three, you will be expanding the connection of the disciples of Jesus Christ. The more people we include, the more people that are members, the more people that feel connected, and the stronger we will become. Each and everyone of you has a gift given you to by the Holy Spirit. All people, everywhere, have a gift. The more people we can be connected with, the more gifts we can use, the bigger the Kingdom of God. This all works together. We all need to work together. Connection is important. Connection is vital. Be a part of it!

 Have a great week and I will see you Sunday!