I am writing a sermon. Wait, no. Let me try that again. I am rewriting and erasing and editing and eeking out a sermon for this Sunday. I enjoy the whole process... after it's done. Right now I am frustrated because once again I am preaching on a "special" day- which is totally cool (United Methodist Women Day)- and while I want to write my fabulous "women rock" sermon... I have the "what is the church" sermon coming out the side gate. I don't know how to put the two together- and I'm tired of my own voice (on paper) at this point. There is little Spirit flowing here- and I could really use some Spirit. I especially would like the Spirit to strike between now and tomorrow evening. That would help. I'm at the point where I could take the existing sermon I have and make something out of it- or... if the Spirit flows- I may take on a totally different direction. The problem is- I need to have the bulletin done by tomorrow. So there's the timeline for the spirit. I've been working on this for a few weeks- so its not procrastination, its that each time I work on it I get blocked and can't make something happen.
I want to preach the Word- not "some words." I want to get complimented after the service because it was a good sermon that makes people think, not because I'm cute and pregnant and that's a novelty to see a pregnant lady preach on UMW Sunday. I want to speak truth that sets people free. I want to speak truth that brings new life into a dull space. I want to speak light in dark corners.
I have high expectations.... and am getting a little nervous about it all. Pray that the Spirit flows!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
The King
Today is the anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination. It's weird that we commemorate these days, like going back to the site of a car crash years later. I guess it makes sense- just as much as we like to remember and relive those days that we celebrate- we need to remember and relive those days that make a dent in our minds. I see the loss of MLK almost like a loss of innocence for the American people. Those who weren't in the thick of the race struggles or marches or injustices might have been easily ignorant. Once the voice of a people was suddenly and so sharply silenced- it had to cause an extra glance by the previously ignorant.
I wonder what things I am ignorant about today. I could probably even name them for you- because ignorance isn't just a lack of knowledge, it's a lack of action. We were studying some scripture passages for worship planning the other day- and one of the passages has Jesus saying that those who hear the word and do not act are like those who build their house on sand. Those who hear the word and act are like those who build their houses on stone. What is amazing about this text is not that it is a cool analogy and it makes a lot of sense- but that both groups hear the word. No one misses the message, some just choose to do nothing with it.
I think that was King's message to the white folks and black folks of the day- it isn't that the plight of the poor and downtrodden is a big secret- it's that no one seems to be willing to do anything about it- or even saying anything about it. MLK was special only because he took the risk to act on the Word. He was special in a way that really, anyone could be these days. We may not all become world renown or listed in the history books- but we can act.
The trouble is- in memory of today- it still feels like Jesus got it wrong. Those who act get their house blown down. I think MLK knew that, and still believed. Lord, help my unbelief!
I wonder what things I am ignorant about today. I could probably even name them for you- because ignorance isn't just a lack of knowledge, it's a lack of action. We were studying some scripture passages for worship planning the other day- and one of the passages has Jesus saying that those who hear the word and do not act are like those who build their house on sand. Those who hear the word and act are like those who build their houses on stone. What is amazing about this text is not that it is a cool analogy and it makes a lot of sense- but that both groups hear the word. No one misses the message, some just choose to do nothing with it.
I think that was King's message to the white folks and black folks of the day- it isn't that the plight of the poor and downtrodden is a big secret- it's that no one seems to be willing to do anything about it- or even saying anything about it. MLK was special only because he took the risk to act on the Word. He was special in a way that really, anyone could be these days. We may not all become world renown or listed in the history books- but we can act.
The trouble is- in memory of today- it still feels like Jesus got it wrong. Those who act get their house blown down. I think MLK knew that, and still believed. Lord, help my unbelief!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)