Friday’s thoughts
I am more interested in bumper stickers than I should be. Sometimes I have driven up on the car in front of me and almost caused an accident in an effort to read what was written on the bumper. This morning the people who attend a 7am “theological study” wanted me to come to Arvada United Methodist (my former church). They have been studying the manuscript I wrote (The Hot Tub Leaks, The Trees All Died, and The Dog Jumped Over The Fence). Some of the people at First Church have been reading it and giving me suggestions. The Arvada people had questions and I went to the church this Friday morning.
On the way I saw a message on the car in front of me at a stop light on Wadsworth in Arvada. Its message took some time to sink in. I wonder if you will “get it” immediately. I didn’t. The words written on the bumper read: “Where are we going and why are we in a hand basket?”
Obviously, this message was promoted by someone who had a need to make a statement about the ways things are. Perhaps it was a political statement about the economy, or the war in Iraq, or maybe it was a statement about local government in the state or in the community of Arvada. I don’t know but I do think something was being said in a negative way. A statement was being made to the end result that “we are going to hell in a hand basket.
In the sermon I have come up with three responses we can make to the injustices we face:
1. We can strive to get even and retaliate.
2. We can strive to get back to them and restrain ourselves
3. We can give it up and reconcile ourselves to the people whom we feel have wronged us.
In the sermon it needs to be said as clearly as possible that the ability to find reconciliation is the most important and most difficult thing we may ever do. In fact, I don’t think it’s humanly possible sometimes. I think it takes God to help move us beyond the need to retaliate to embrace the desire to reconcile.
What do you think about this?
If you have ideas please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net and if you are willing to let the congregation in on your thoughts click the “comments” box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
